2014 US Open: Down Goes Maria Sharapova, BF Grigor Dimitrov Advances
Maria Sharapova lost to Danish star Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round of the 2014 US Open. Sharapova's boyfriend, on the other hand, managed to rally past David Goffin after early stumble in the first set of their third round match at the tournament.
Fifth-seeded Sharapova has played great tennis in the 2014 US Open. She has beaten compatriot Maria Kirilenko in the first round, 6-4, 6-0. In the second round, she made a comeback after losing the set to defeat Romanian Alexandra Dulgheru 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Sharapova went on and through to the third round and beat Sabine Lisicki in two straight sets 6-2, 6-4.
Unfortunately, Sharapova's winning streak at the US Open was crushed by Wozniacki, 4-6, 6-2, 2-6. The Russian tennis darling admitted that she made quite a few errors that made her lose the first set. She came back to win the second set before eventually losing the third and final set.
"I said, okay, win or lose, I'm going to go for my shots," Sharapova said in a statement. She knew she needed to go for it and try her chance at winning. "If I'm going to lose, at least I'm going to do it with dignity."
Sharapova wasn't able to compete in the 2013 US Open due to her shoulder. She has only reached the finals at Flushing Meadows in 2006. It was the when she first won her first-ever US Open title after beating Justin Hehn of Belarus.
Sharapova's next tournament is the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open at Wuhan, China. It will take place from Sept. 21 to Sept. 27.
Meanwhile, things appear to be looking bright for Sharapova's boyfriend Dimitrov. The Bulgarian athlete has not been able to advance after the first round in recent tournaments, but he has managed to book a spot in the fourth round after he beat fellow 23-year-old Goffin in the third round. Speaking to The Associated Press, Dimitrov said he did the best that he could to maintain his focus on the match and it paid off in the end. He won the match 0-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.
Dimitrov is one of the rising tennis stars. In the 2014 season, Dimitrov has won three titles, played in the quarterfinals at Australian Open, and made it to play in the semifinals at Wimbledon. The year 2014 is also the year that Dimitrov has entered the top 10 of the world rankings. Dimitrov will play against French Gael Monfils on Sept. 1.