Cincinnati: Maria Sharapova was stunned in the second round of Western & Southern Open as she lost her match to American Sloane Stephens here on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Roger Federer made a strong comeback and won his match to advance into the third round.
Sloane Stephens defeated World No. 3 Russian 2-6, 7-6 (7/5) and 6-3. This was surely something that Sharapova was not expecting after making her way back from the injury into this WTA and ATP Masters hard-court tournament under new coach Jimmy Conners. Sharapova made as much as 60 unforced errors in this match.
Sharapova was finding it hard to get into the rhythm as she was making her comeback after seven long-weeks which ultimately led her to pay the price by making an early exit from the tournament. Before this outing, she was stunned in the second-round of Wimbledon.
Meanwhile, the defending champion Roger Federer, who was looking to get into good shape before the start of the US Open on August 26, did well to overcome his German opponent Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-6 (9/7). This was the seventh time that Swiss won his battle against Philipp.
Ferrer and Raonic in next roun
David Ferrer, third-seed from Spain, had a tough time against the American Ryan Harrison in his second-round match but finally held his nerves to make his way to the next round. He won the match by 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-4.
In the other match of the men’s singles category, Canadian Milos Raonic struggled in the first match of his campaign which he played against Jack Sock. He had a tough first-set. But the recovery in the next two sets was absolutely brilliant and he won the match by 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. He will take on Janko Tipsarevic in his second-round match.
Meanwhile, 40th ranked Vasek Pospisil advanced into the second round when France's 15th seed Gilles Simon retired trailing 6-2, 1-1 with a hip injury.
Azarenka and Wozniacki in the third round
Victoria Azarenka reached the third round, beating American Vania King 6-1, 7-6 (8/6).
In the first round, former number one Caroline Wozniacki defeated China's Peng Shuai 6-1, 6-1 while Jelena Jankovic, the number 14, spoiled the return to action of Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 6-2.
Robredo wins, Nishikori loses
In other men's results, Feliciano Lopez opened with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) upset of Japanese 10th seed Kei Nishikori, while German 11th seed Tommy Haas made up for an early exit a week ago in Canada by reaching the second round with a 6-4, 6-4 win over South African Kevin Anderson.
Russian veteran Nikolay Davydenko got the better of Frenchman Benoit Paire 7-6 (10/8), 6-3 and Spaniard Tommy Robredo beat Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (9/7), 6-2.
