Comebacking Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova was ousted in the LA Women’s Tennis Championships on Saturday night by last year’s finalist Flavia Pennetta of Italy. The error-filled match ended in favor of the Italian with Sharapova commiting more than 60 unforced errors. The score: 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
“I did not feel physically fresh from the beginning of the match. I was surprised it actually went to the third. I had my opportunities, I just could not close it out,” Sharapova said after the match.
The Carson tournament served as Sharapova’s sixth event since her return to tennis last May. Her progress has been impressive so far, including a quarterfinal finish at the French Open two months ago. She’s currently ranked 61st in the world.
Pennetta is scheduled to meet Australia’s Samantha Stosur in the final match on Sunday. Stosur will be gunning for her first career WTA singles title, having finished runner-up in four different occasions. The Australian is a successful doubles player (currently ranked fifth) and could break into the world’s top 15 in singles if she wins the title.
