Sharapova knocked out by qualifier at Wuhan Open

Maria Sharapova. AP

Maria Sharapova. AP

WUHAN, China — Maria Sharapova was knocked out of the Wuhan Open by Swiss qualifier Timea Bacsinszky 7-6 (3), 7-5 in the third round on Wednesday.

Sharapova double-faulted six times in the first set, and was twice a break up in the second set, but couldn’t shake off Bacsinszky, who earned the biggest win of her career with a win over the Russian ranked No. 4 in the world. Bacsinszky had two previous top-10 wins, the last in 2010, but both were by retirement.

A day after advancing at the expense of an ill Serena Williams, Alize Cornet of France reached the quarterfinals by defeating Francesca Schiavone 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-3. The Italian led 3-1 in the last set.

No. 7-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany eased past Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-1, and set up a quarterfinal against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, who received a walkover when Garbine Muguruza of Spain couldn’t compete due to gastroenteritis.

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