Maria Sharapova put up a fight but ultimately fell to Flavia Penneta during this weekends US Open play. The third seed Sharapova lost in three sets (6-3, 3-6, 6-4) at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 2006 U.S Open Champion who was second favorite to win the tournament lost after giving up 12 double faults and 60 unforced errors.
In 2011 Penneta has been ranked as high as 10th and she also won the pairings last match when they met two years ago in Los Angeles.
Pennetta now progresses to a fourth-round meeting with Peng Shuai.
Still in the running at the tournament is second seed Vera Zvonareva who survived three sets against Kateryna Bondarenko on Wednesday and then won in straight sets against Anabel Medina Garrigues (6-4, 7-5).
Venus Williams was forced out of the tournament this week after revealing a diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome an auto-immune deficiency which leaves the body feeling exhausted.
On the men’s side of the tournament Juan Martin Del Potro took three straight sets over Diego Junqueira (6-2, 6-1, 7-5).
In a tournament known for upsets and comebacks it will be interesting to see how the competition stacks up during fourth round play.
Who’s your favorite to win the US Open on the women’s and men’s side?
