Defending champion Pennetta ousts Sharapova

18 March 2015 03:31

Defending champion Flavia Pennetta sent world number two Maria Sharapova crashing out of Indian Wells, rallying to beat the five-time Grand Slam champ in three sets Tuesday.

Italy's Pennetta got off to a rough start in the opening set before settling in to take down the mighty Russian who had won twice here previously in 2006 and 2013.

Sharapova committed 11 double faults and was broken four times in the two hour, six minute match.

Pennetta advanced to the quarter-finals, where she will meet either Caroline Garcia of France or Sabine Lisicki of Germany.

Pennetta, who won her 10th and biggest title of her career with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Agnieszka Radwanska last year, extended her match winning streak to nine on Tuesday.

Sharapova was hoping to become the first women to win the Indian Wells title three times.

She started the season by winning her 34th career singles title in Brisbane, Australia then reached the Aussie Open final where she lost to Serena Williams.

This was the fifth career meeting between the two with Pennetta now having a 3-2 edge.

Source: AFP