Tennis: Sharapova stunned as Kerber downs former champ

Maria Sharapova of Russia reacts after being defeated by Angelique Kerber of Germany in their women's singles tennis match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in London on July 1, 2014. Maria Sharapova suffered more Wimbledon heartache as the
Maria Sharapova of Russia reacts after being defeated by Angelique Kerber of Germany in their women's singles tennis match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in London on July 1, 2014. Maria Sharapova suffered more Wimbledon heartache as the French Open champion crashed to a shock 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-4 defeat by Germany's Angelique Kerber in the fourth round on Tuesday, July 1, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON (AFP) - Maria Sharapova suffered more Wimbledon heartache as the French Open champion crashed to a shock 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-4 defeat by Germany's Angelique Kerber in the fourth round on Tuesday.

Sharapova famously won Wimbledon aged 17 in 2004, but she has struggled to emulate that feat for much of the last decade and this was another dispiriting experience for the Russian, as the ninth seed sealed a stunning Centre Court triumph on her seventh match point.

The world No. 5 arrived at the All England Club fresh from her second Roland Garros title last month, but she has now failed to make it past the last 16 in seven of her last eight appearances at Wimbledon.

Kerber, who reached the last four in 2012, will face Canada's star Eugenie Bouchard, a winner against the German in the French Open fourth round recently, on Wednesday for a place in the semi-finals.

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