Maria Sharapova suffered a shock defeat by Dominika Cibulkova to lose out of the Australian Open in the fourth round.
The Slovakian came from one set down to beat Sharapova (3rd seed) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to reach her first quarter-final in Melbourne (her third overall).
Sharapova, who won the title in 2008, left the Rod Laver court for a medical timeout before the decider but admitted after the match she’s back and healthy despite the loss.
“I’m back and I’m healthy. That’s quite important. Otherwise I wouldn’t give myself a chance to play” Sharapova said after losing her fourth competitive match since returning from injury.
The Russian finished with a total of 45 unforced errors as Cibulkova finished off an erratic quarter-final match in two hours twelve minutes.
24-year-old Cibulkova will face Simona Halep, who beat Jelena Jankovic 6-4 2-6 6-0 in the last eight.
