Sharapova sent packing as Federer rolls on
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-03 10:56

GAME EXPLODED

"I'm not the girl to keep all the emotions I have inside. I prefer to let it go," said Safina, who will next face another Russian in Elena Dementieva.

"I guess I have to pay lots of fines because that's the way I am. I feel that (if) I have to explode then I explode."

As Safina's game exploded into life, Sharapova's started to fade. Twelve months after describing herself as a 'cow on ice' on clay, Sharapova skidded out of the tournament by ramming a forehand long.

Yet to find favour with the French public, she swiftly stormed off, with jeers echoing around Suzanne Lenglen Court.

"I can't please everyone, that's not in my job description," snapped the Russian.

Sharapova would perhaps be best to wipe out memories of her 2008 Paris sojourn but if she ever chooses to read up on it -- it will make for grim reading.

In four matches she piled up an astonishing 199 unforced errors and 43 double faults -- certainly not the kind of statistics a world number one would be proud of.

To compound her misery, Sharapova's premature departure could herald the end of her reign as world number one.

She was in a four-way race to secure the top ranking at the end of the tournament. If any of her main rivals -- Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova -- go on to lift the title on Saturday they will also climb to the top of the WTA standings.

She greeted the news with a "boo-hoo" before adding: "I came very close, just didn't go my way for some reason."

While Sharapova's hopes of completing a career grand slam stalled on Monday, Federer stepped up his pursuit of an elusive French Open crown with an entertaining win over Benneteau.

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