SHARAPOVA OUT OF US OPEN

NEW YORK: Maria Sharapova’s Grand Slam return after a 15-month doping ban ended with a fourth-round defeat at the US Open but the former world number one considered it a major step in her comeback.

Latvian 16th seed Anastasija Sevastova on Sunday rallied to eliminate the five-time Grand Slam champion 5-7 6-4 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium, booking a quarter-final against American Sloane Stephens, who ousted Germany’s Julia Goerges 6-3 3-6 6-1.

Sharapova, the 2006 US Open winner, was able to find the positives after making 51 unforced errors to only 14 by Sevastova, whose 21 winners were half the 30-year-old Russian’s total.

“Reflecting back on the week, I can be happy,” Sharapova said. “It has been a really great ride. Ultimately, I can take a lot from this week.”

Tomorrow’s other quarterfinal will match Czech 13th seed Petra Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion, against US ninth seed Venus Williams, seeking her eighth Slam title and third US Open crown.

Kvitova eliminated Spanish third seed and two-time Slam winner Garbine Muguruza 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 while Williams beat 35th-ranked Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3 3-6 6-1.

In Sharapova’s first Slam since she tested positive for the banned blood booster meldonium at the 2016 Australian

Open, she ousted secondranked Simona Halep in the first round and served notice to any contender her game remains formidable.

“She played unbelievable throughout the first and second set and I just kept fighting, running for every ball,” Sevastova said.

“I was confident. I was feeling it. But still you have to beat her. She was playing one of the best matches here.”

Sharapova returned from her suspension in April, was snubbed for a French Open wildcard and missed Wimbledon with a thigh injury but received a US Open wildcard despite only one hardcourt tuneup match due to a left forearm injury.

“It’s great to get that major out of the way,” Sharapova said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity. I did my best and I can be proud of that.”