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U.S. Open 2017: Maria Sharapova’s grand slam dream comes to a halt

By Veronica Elizabeth Bruno

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 03: Maria Sharapova of Russia reacts during her women's singles fourth round match against Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia on Day Seven of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 3, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 03: Maria Sharapova of Russia reacts during her women's singles fourth round match against Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia on Day Seven of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 3, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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A controversial figure since she came back after a doping ban, Maria Sharapova had fought throughout the U.S. Open, but ultimately had her only grand slam appearance end in a loss, going out to Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.

Maria Sharapova’s comeback ended with the Russian going out in the fourth round of the U.S. Open. It all started out with great promise. While the French Open had rebuffed the polarizing figure and refused her a wild card, and Wimbledon became embroiled in a debate over offering her a spot in the main draw, the USTA put a brave face forward and granted the freebie. As with anything involving Maria Sharapova, the decision came with many complaints and the locker room banter continued throughout the tournament.

The former world No. 1 stood her ground throughout and showed more fight than she had in previous tournaments since she came back from a 15-month commuted doping ban.

Several players, most especially Caroline Wozniacki, complained the tennis star got top billing, and all her matches were scheduled on Arthur Ashe, despite her No. 146 ranking. Making it to the fourth round will most likely assure her rise into the top 100. The Flushing Meadows tournament was the first grand slam she had played since being tested for a banned substance at the 2016 Australian Open. While some players continued to protest, her fight in the second and third round earned her fans and the audience seemed captivated by her story.

One who wasn’t was Serena Williams’ coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, serving as a commentator while the new mom was out. In fact, just the day before the fourth round match, he said that the five-time grand slam champion wouldn’t last long in the tournament.

Mouratoglou continued to the NY Post to make his case that the Maria Sharapova that came back after her ban is a different person and that the tour is filled with more talent as well.

“I think she can lose to anyone now. She played an incredible first match. Everyone was impressed, including me. The next two matches she played, she was miles away from the level of the first round. Not so much of quality. Better competitors are coming. If she doesn’t dramatically raise her level, she’s going to lose soon,” he predicted.

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The Russian’s memoir drops in a few weeks and I’m sure she had planned a title to go along with the release, called “Unstoppable.” Still, she showed much of the fight and grit that made her a champion in the first place. But she was also plagued by injuries and she’s clearly still struggling with consistency. Her performance at the U.S. Open was better than how she fared at lesser tournaments earlier in the year.

In the meantime, Sharapova has her work cut out for her to fight back to where she was prior to the ban. Her higher ranking will help her justify entering tourneys without any supposed favoritism from the wild cards she received this year.

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