French Open 2015: Lucie Safarova knocks out defending champion Maria Sharapova in the fourth round

Lucie Safarova plays a bcakhand in her win over Maria Sharapova in the fourth round

Lucie Safarova ousted defending champion Maria Sharapova 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals.

Sharapova came into this match having won 65 of her last 71 matches on clay, th highest winning percentage among the current WTA players. It was Safarova who was put under early pressure in the second game of the first set, but the No. 13 seed reeled off three points in a row to level at 1-1.

It was the Czech who drew first blood as she broke Sharapova’s serve in the next game. The defending champion struck back in the sixth game through powerful groundstrokes to get back the break. Sharapova had a chance to win the set in the twelfth game that went to deuce, but Safarova held on to force a tie break. The No.13 seed jumped to a 5-1 lead in the changeover before wrapping it up 7-3.

Safarova broke Sharapova’s serve in the second game of the second set and led 3-0 after consolidating it with an easy hold. Sharapova is not the one to give up so easily. The No. 2 seed broke back in the fifth game and looked like we had a marathon match on our hands. The last time these two ladies met was in Stuttgart last year and the Russian had won it 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-2).

Safarova led 5-4 which meant Sharapova was serving to stay in the tournament. Safarova upped the ante and had a match point, but the defending champion saved it when Safarova missed an easy forehand winner. She however converted on her second match point opportunity with a superb backhand crosscourt winner.

This is Safarova’s first win over a Top-8 player in 20 matches.