Serena withdraws, hands Sharapova free ticket to Roland Garros quarters

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Wilson Blade 9

Everyone was looking forward to another clash in the lopsided rivalry between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, but tennis fans were served a huge disappointment when Williams, a 19-2 leader in head-to-head stats against her Russian opponent, withdrew from the fourth-round blockbuster because of a pectoral injury she started feeling during her third-round match against Julia Goerges.

After Simona Halep’s dominant victory over Elise Mertens and Daria Kasatkina’s quick finish of the match against Caroline Wozniacki, we all prepared our favorite snacks for the highly-anticipated fourth-round encounter, but Williams said she was sadly forced to leave the tournament because the chest pain is making her unable to serve.

This is a disappointing end to Williams’ pregnancy comeback Grand Slam, but we can say it was successful nevertheless, as the tennis legend currently ranked No.451 eliminated Kristyna Pliskova, No.17 seed Ashleigh Barty and No.11 seed Julia Goerges from the draw.

Seed No.28 Sharapova’s quarterfinal opponent will be third seed Garbine Muguruza, who will also be well-rested, as the 2016 French Open champion played just two games against Lesia Tsurenko when the Ukrainian retired.

Twelfth seed Angelique Kerber showed impressive form in her 6-2 6-3 defeat of seventh seed Caroline Garcia, setting up a quarterfinal meeting with Simona Halep.

Sharapova vs. Muguruza and Kerber vs. Halep quarterfinals will be played on Wednesday, while the quarterfinals Tuesday are Sloane Stephens vs. Daria Kasatkina and Madison Keys vs. Yulia Putintseva.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Free ticket, huh. Well, her time is up because Garbine Muguruza is doing to Maria what Serena would’ve done to her, had she remained healthy. I mean, she’s quickly dismissing Sharapova and beautifully so. Looks like she’s doing it in a little more than an hour. Garbine is finally getting a long overdue win over Sharapova. Well folks, it’s a done deal. Garbine has annihilated the most overrated tennis female tennis player ever. Serena Williams should never be the only player to dominate Maria. Congrats, Garbine! You’re looking good, girl!

  2. Gitt, agreed. Serena would’ve steamrolled her. There is no rivalry…only utter domination on the part of the GOAT, Serena Williams. I’m sure Maria was relieved she didn’t have to be embarrassed yet again by Serena.

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