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- Sharapova fails to crash Barty party
Sharapova fails to crash Barty party
Maria Sharapova was sent packing from the Australian Open, the 2008 champion overhauled by local favourite Ash Barty in a thrilling last-16 encounter.
Sharapova ended Caroline Wozniacki's title defence at Melbourne Park, however, the five-time grand slam winner was unable to build on that result.
The former world number one claimed the opening set but crashed to a 4-6 6-1 6-4 defeat against 15th seed Barty after almost two-and-a-half hours on Rod Laver Arena.
After losing a tight first set to the Russian star, Barty won 10 of the next 11 games as she forced a decider and took a commanding 4-0 lead in the third.
Nerves slowly crept in, with Sharapova - who was booed by the crowd after spending seven minutes off court for a bathroom break at the end of the second set - managing to reel off three consecutive games to threaten a comeback.
Despite wasting three match points amid a mini-wobble, Barty - through to her maiden slam quarter-final - held on to become the first Australian woman to reach the last eight in Melbourne since Jelena Dokic in 2009.
Next up for Barty is two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova - a rematch of the Sydney International final.