Fresh from winning the Madrid Open last Sunday, Maria Sharapova was touted as a heavy favorite to win the Italian Open this week but too much gameplay in the past two weeks may have taken its toll on her after she fell in the third round at Foro Italico to Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 1-6, 4-6. This effectively ended Ivanovic’s seven match losing streak to Sharapova.
It was a confidence-boosting victory for Ivanovic, a former French Open champion like Sharapova. Her last victory against Sharapova was way back in the French Open in 2007. Sharapova has been making remarkable strides on clay, not having lost to anyone but Serena Williams since 2011.
Ivanovic will next face Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain. Navarro advanced after Madrid Open runner-up Simona Halep pulled out of the tournament due to abdominal injury.
