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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sharapova bounced in fourth round

Dominika Cibulkova celebrates after winning a point during her three-set victory over Maria Sharapova. (Associated Press)
Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia – Victoria Azarenka advanced to the quarterfinals and firmed as a favorite to claim a third straight Australian Open title today after Maria Sharapova joined Serena Williams on the fourth-round casualty list.

Azarenka had a 6-3, 6-2 win over No. 13-seeded Sloane Stephens.

Third-seeded Sharapova lost 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to Dominika Cibulkova in the earlier match at Rod Laver Arena, struggling with her serve in the second and third sets and making 45 unforced errors as she tried to rally.

During a run of four breaks against her, Sharapova won only three points on her own serve and fell 5-0 behind in the second set.

Sharapova was two tournaments into a comeback from a prolonged layoff with a right shoulder injury, and said her run to the fourth round was a positive sign because she was healthy and back on tour.

“I have to look at the positives and see where I have come from in four or five months. I haven’t played a lot of tennis in those six months,” said Sharapova, who won the Australian title in 2008.

Another former No. 1 was knocked out when No. 11 Simona Halep beat Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 2-6, 6-0 to set up a quarterfinal against Cibulkova.

Sharapova may stick around in Melbourne to support her boyfriend, Grigor Dimitrov, who reached the quarterfinals for the first time with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 win over Roberto Bautista Agut.

The 22-year-old Bulgarian will next play the winner of today’s later match between top-ranked Rafael Nadal and No. 16 Kei Nishikori of Japan.

Azarenka, meanwhile, was making herself comfortable at Melbourne Park, where she’s on an 18-match winning streak.

“I just love playing here, the surroundings, it feels so cozy … feels like home,” she said after her win over Stephens.

Bryans out early

Top-seeded Bob and Mike Bryan have made their earliest exit from the Australian Open in 11 years, losing to American Eric Butorac and South African Raven Klaasen in the third round of the men’s doubles 7-6 (9), 6-4 today.

The Bryans, who won the title here last year, are the most successful doubles team in the Open era, with 15 Grand Slam titles.

The last time they lost this early at Melbourne Park was in 2003. The twins had made the finals of the Australian Open in nine of the last 10 years.