WTA Kremlin Cup: Sharapova loses to Rybarikova 7-6, 6-4

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On the women's side, Maria Sharapova was facing eighth seed Magdalena Rybarikova in the opening round of the Kremlin Cup. The former world number one was looking to build on her victory at the Tianjin Open last week. That triumph was her first since returning to the court following a 15-month doping ban. But the Slovakian, would ensure that she would not be tasting victory two weeks in a row.

Pick things up in the 12th game of the opener, and Sharapova at the top of your screen trying to break her opponent and force a tiebreak. And the always audible Russian gets the Slovakian to the net with a drop shot, before lobbing her for the point. She would tie things at 6.

In the extra session, the Slovakian, who was runner-up at the Austria Ladies' in Linz last week, is able to keep the five-time grand slam winner at the baseline and fires a winner down the line to take the frame.

Off to the second, and Sharapova serving, facing two match points, and she gets a little tight, firing her return into the net, handing victory to Rybarikova 7-6, 6-4. It is the Slovakian's first ever victory over the former Grand Slam winner. She will play Alize Cornet in the second round.