PARIS, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Russia's fourth seed Maria Sharapova crumbled late in the third set before losing 7-5, 2-6, 7-5 to compatriot Dinara Safina in the fourth round of the French Open here on Sunday.

 

This combined photo shows the expression of Russia's Maria Sharapova during a fourth round match of the women's singles against her compatriot Dinara Safina at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, June 4, 2006. Sharapova lost the match 1-2. (Xinhua Photo)

    Sharapova led 4-0 and 5-1 in the final set, but only won six more points as Safina stormed back to reach the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam event for the first time.

    Safina, the 14th seed, only played well for parts of the opening set and in the final six games of the match, but it was enough to oust Sharapova.

    On the verge of defeat, Safina found her rhythm. Her groundstrokes started finding the line and her defensive play picked up. Sharapova had no answer, even when she came to the net hoping to slow Safina's momentum.

    The match ended on a backhand crosscourt winner off a too-deep Sharapova forehand volley.

    In the quarterfinals, Safina will meet another Russian, 8th seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, who posted her own come-from-behind victory Sunday, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 over Italian Francesca Schiavone. Enditem

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