By Chris Oddo | Thursday, April 23, 2015
Angelique Kerber ended Maria Sharapova's reign in Stuttgart with an inspiring comeback.
Photo Source: Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
Three-time defending Porsche Tennis Grand Prix champion Maria Sharapova was shown the exit by a sturdy and determined Angelique Kerber of Germany on Thursday in Stuttgart, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1.
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After a shaky start, Kerber gradually took control of the match to notch her third career victory in seven matches with the Russian.
Sharapova had previously amassed a 13-0 record at Stuttgart, but she couldn’t avoid losing her third straight match of 2015 on Thursday, as Kerber rallied to steal the final two games of the second set then took control in the third to win running away.
Sharapova will also lose her No. 2 ranking next week, as she needed to reach at least the semifinals in Stuttgart to keep current No. 3 Simona Halep from leapfrogging her.
Kerber struck 22 winners against 20 unforced errors on the day, while Sharapova clocked 44 winners against 40 unforced.
According to Kevin Fischer of WTA Media, Sharapova had won 64 consecutive clay-court matches when she had taken the first set:
The victory is Kerber’s first against a Top 2 opponent. She was previously 0-11.
Next up the German will face Ekaterina Makarova of Russia in the quarterfinals.