Maria Sharapova storms back as Garbine Muguruza exits Madrid Open

Maria Sharapova overcame a sluggish start to secure her place in the quarter-final of the Madrid Open while Garbine Muguruza lost.
Five-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova lost her opening service game against Kristina Mladenovic, but hit back to win 6-3, 6-4 to reach her first quarter-final since January.
.@MariaSharapova moves past Mladenovic 6-3, 6-4!
Advances to the #MMOPEN quarterfinals. pic.twitter.com/ha9NSOk9l4
— WTA (@WTA) May 9, 2018
“I just felt like I did the right things,” Sharapova said. “Despite a slow start, I was still very positive. I still felt like I was doing the right things out there, and continued to do so. I felt like I returned much better than I have been, which makes your life a little bit easier.”
The Russian will face Kiki Bertens for a place in the semi-final after the Dutchwoman stunned second seed Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-3.
Local favourite Muguruza’s run came to a halt as she was beaten by Daria Kasatkina with the 14th seed from Russia securing a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 victory.
“I was playing against No.3 in the world, and it’s always giving you confidence when you’re beating big players on the big stages,” Kasatkina said. “Matches like this, when you’re fighting for every ball – of course after these matches, you’re feeling much better.”
Spain, though, will have a player in the quarter-final as Carla Suarez Navarro continued her fine run with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 win over American Bernarda Pera.
Comeback Carla Continues! ??@CarlaSuarezNava bests Pera 2-6, 6-2, 6-4!
Moves on to #MMOPEN quarterfinals. pic.twitter.com/gH2g8yNhAO
— WTA (@WTA) May 9, 2018
Navarro will face seventh seed Caroline Garcia, who beat Julia Goerges 6-2, 6-4.
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios punished for spitting at fan in Wimbledon crowd
Bad boy Kyrgios handed yet another fine.
-
Wimbledon
Jack Draper suffers defeat but promises to return to Wimbledon a better player
It wasn’t to be this year.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon day four: Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal battle on
Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady won on Thursday to keep the British flag flying.
-
Wimbledon
Alex De Minaur joins girlfriend Katie Boulter in Wimbledon third round
The 20-year-old won the first set on Court One but fell to a 5-7 7-6 (0) 6-2 6-3 defeat.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon: ‘Every day is a challenge’
Rafael Nadal is prepared to grind his way into the second week at SW19.
-
News
Iga Swiatek made to sweat to progress at Wimbledon and extend streak
Karolina Pliskova was the big seed to exit the women’s draw on Thursday while Kirsten Flipkens bowed out.
-
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios has the belief he can win Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios believes in himself even if nobody else does.
-
Wimbledon
Exclusive – John Lloyd on the key reason for the stunning form of Katie Boulter and British players at Wimbledon
The stunning success of British players at Wimbledon contunued as Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady all won.
-
Wimbledon
Heather Watson ‘pretty relaxed’ as she looks to break new ground at Wimbledon
This is Heather Watson’s fourth time in the Wimbledon third round.
-
Wimbledon
Liam Broady hails ‘amazing feeling’ after beating Diego Schwartzman for biggest win of his career
The British No 5 lost 11 games in a row but fought back to down the 12th seed.