Maria Sharapova is headed for a US Open loss and didn't deserve a Flushing Meadows wild card in the first place, says coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

The ESPN analyst and coach of Serena Williams said Sharapova is "miles away" from the level of tennis she showed defeating world No. 2 Simona Halep in the first round and headed for a fall.

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"I think she can lose to anyone now," Mouratoglou told New York Post writer Marc Berman. "She played an incredible first match. Everyone was impressed, including me. The next two matches she played, she was miles away from the level of the first round. Not so much of quality."

The former world No. 1 plays 16th-seeded Anastasija Sevastova for a quarterfinal spot against either 30th-seeded Julia Goerges or former Australian Open semifinalist Sloane Stephens. 

"Better competitors are coming," Mouratoglou said. "If she doesn’t dramatically raise her level, she’s going to lose soon. Two three-setters, physically, mentally she’s a little suffering and Sloane’s at a super-good level."

Mouratoglou praised Roland Garros for refusing to issue a wild card to the two-time former French Open champion and said the US Open's decision to award Sharapova, who served a 15-month doping suspension, a wild card sends the wrong message.

"It would be a great message the tennis world sent to the fans," Mouratoglou told The Post. "Whoever is tested positive, whether superstar or not, it’s the same treatment. They should vote in a rule someone who comes back from a ban from doping shouldn’t get a wildcard coming back.

"I don’t think it sends a good message. It’s like I take something away from you because you did something wrong but then I give you a hand. Don’t help player that has lost their ranking because of testing positive. Don’t help them come back to the top faster.

"I get it. I know it’s exciting for any tournament director to have Sharapova in the draw. The stadium will be full, sponsors happy, TV ratings. But let her play her way into the top 100 and deserve her place in the draw. It’s nothing against her. I would say if it’s anyone.”

Photo credit: Serena Williams Instagram