French Open 2015: Maria Sharapova knocked out by Lucie Safarova

Russia's Maria Sharapova reacts during her match against Czech Republic's Lucie Safarova. Source: AFP

UPDATE: MARIA Sharapova’s French Open defence has ended in disaster as Czech Lucie Safarova gloried in a rare win against the top 10.

Almost certain to surrender the world No 2 ranking to Safarova’s compatriot Petra Kvitova with the 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 defeat, Sharapova stalked from Court Philippe Chatrier after a terrible serving performance.

Safarova’s quarter-final opponent is Spanish 21st seed Garbine Muguruza, who dispatched Italian veteran Sara Errani 6-3 6-4.

Having struggled with illness throughout the first week amid rumours her relationship with Grigor Dimitrov has ended, Sharapova appeared a shadow of her usual self.

The Russian’s second serve was plundered by 13th seed Safarova, who had lost her 18 matches in a row against top-10 opposition.

Sharapova’s exit extends the poor record of women’s defending champions at Roland Garros.

No woman has successfully defended the title since Belgian Justine Henin in 2007.

A Wimbledon semi-finalist last season, Safarova has always been a rich, if unfulfilled, talent with wins over Henin and Caroline Wozniacki.

Lucie Safarova during her match against Maria Sharapova. Source: Getty Images

Inflicting only the sixth defeat on Sharapova in the Russian’s last 72 claycourt matches, Safarova virtually guaranteed Kvitova will rise to No 2 if she also reaches the last eight.

Safarova was undaunted by Sharapova’s power, securing the first set in 61 minutes.

Profiting from the Russian’s sloppiness and increasing anxiety, the Czech swept to a 3-0 lead in the second set after Sharapova had double-faulted to lose serve.

Serving for a 4-1 buffer, Safarova blundered with a match-turning double fault to allow Sharapova back into the contest.

But poor serving again exposed Sharapova to the worst in the 10th game and, having blown her first match point with a wild forehand, Safarova atoned the second time with a cold winner down the line.

Former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka has been fined $7000 for audible and visible obscenities following a poisonous third round loss to Serena Williams.

The Belarusian’s anger boiled over when she incorrectly lost a crucial point to Williams after a line-calling dispute.

TV replays proved Azarenka was right, but her gesturing and language en route to a three-set loss drew the biggest fine of her career.

Originally published as Sharapova out of French Open