Sharapova beaten in Big Apple

Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova was eliminated from the US Open today as she was beaten by France’s Mary Pierce in her third round match.

The Russian, seeded seven here, won the first set 6-4 but then Pierce hit back to take the second 6-2 before winning the third and deciding rubber 6-3.

It was a fine performance by 27th-seed Pierce who herself is a Grand Slam winner with victories in Australia and France the highlights of her career.

It ended a tough week for the teenager from Siberia who nonetheless will always remember 2004 as her breakthrough year.

Another seed to bite the dust was 13th seed Paola Suarez of Argentina who was eclipsed by Japan’s Shinobu Asagoe, a 6-4 6-4 winner.

Eleni Daniilidou, the 29th seed from Greece, saw off Russian Anna Chakvetadze 6-4 6-2 while 14th-ranked Russian Nadia Petrova beat 19th seed Silvia Farina Elia of Italy 4-6 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-3)