Stuttgart: Sharapova slumps to fourth straight loss

Maria Sharapova’s claycourt season got off to a poor start as she lost in three sets to Caroline Garcia in the first round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.

France’s Garcia staged a strong fightback to prevail 3-6 7-6(6) 6-4 in two hours and 44 minutes on Tuesday for her first victory over the former world No.1 in her fifth attempt.

“Overall I didn’t return as well as I should against a server like her,” Sharapova said.

“I didn’t make her think. I didn’t get enough balls back. Even after going down in that second set, then coming back and finding that break, and not holding onto that, that’s something to look at.

“That’s something where I need to be a little bit smarter being in that winning position.”

Said Garcia: “It was a very close match. I know she is a fighter and it would be difficult until the end.”

Sharapova, who came back from a 15-month doping ban at this tournament last April, won the first set with ease but the 31-year-old could not prevent a determined Garcia from dragging herself back into the contest through a tiebreak.

> SHARAPOVA: the comeback in numbers

A 10th double fault by Sharapova at 4-4 handed Garcia the crucial break in the decider and the world No.7 clinched the contest on her serve in the next game.

“I was a little more aggressive today and I returned a bit better. Finally I can say that after seven years I have beaten her… it’s an important win,” Garcia said.

In 2hrs, 44mins, Caroline Garcia extends Maria Sharapova's losing streak to 4. Wins 36 76(6) 64 in Stuttgart @PorscheTennis.

Maria to drop out of top 50. Hasn't won a match since AO 2R

— Nick McCarvel (@NickMcCarvel) April 24, 2018

Up next for Garcia is Ukrainian teenager Marta Kostyuk, who beat Antonia Lottner 6-4 6-1. The 15-year-old qualified for the main draw by overcoming France’s Alize Cornet on Monday.

“I can’t say I’m super surprised, because that’s what I work for, and I know I can play at this level,” Kostyuk said.

Fellow qualifier Marketa Vondrousova and wildcard Laura Siegemund – the defending champion on the comeback trail from a serious knee injury – joined Kostyuk in the last 16, thanks to straight-sets wins over Julia Goerges and Barbora Strycova respectively.

World No.6 Karolina Pliskova also advanced with a 6-2 6-2 win over Kiki Bertens.