AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Top-seeded Maria Sharapova has been knocked out of the ASB Classic, losing 6-2, 7-5 to Hungarian veteran Greta Arn in the quarterfinals.
The former top-ranked Sharapova, a three-time Grand Slam winner, looked sluggish in three matches in Auckland. She struggled with her serve throughout the week in her first tournament since October’s China Open.
The Russian dropped serve in the first and fifth games of the first set Thursday to concede the set in 30 minutes, then squandered a 4-2 lead in the second.
Earlier, defending champion and No. 2 seed Yanina Wickmayer breezed past Simona Halep of Romania 6-0, 6-2.
