Brave Kerber ends Sharapova challenge in thriller

Brilliant German Angelique Kerber scored an inspired Wimbledon victory over Maria Sharapova to extinguish the Russian’s hope of winning back-to-back grand slam titles.

In a gripping Centre Court clash between two of the hardest-hitting women in tennis, left-hander Kerber took her seventh match point to seal a 7-6 (7/4) 4-6 6-4 victory and earn a quarter-final shot at Canadian Eugenie Bouchard.

In the wake of Serena Williams losing in the third round, French Open winner Sharapova had been installed by many as a champion-in-waiting, but Kerber was not distracted by such talk as she won a Centre Court classic.