Sharapova crashes out of Indian Wells

Maria Sharapova was beaten in her first match at Indian Wells in three years, losing 6-4 6-4 to Naomi Osaka.
Five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova has slipped to No 41 in the WTA rankings, forcing her into a first-round match at Indian Wells, which she failed to progress through.
Sharapova’s 2018 so far has been blighted by a third-round exit in the Australian Open to Angelique Kerber, and a first-round defeat in Doha to Monica Niculescu.
Her defeat to Osaka, the world No 44, is her second defeat in the opening round of a tournament in a month.
Sharapova’s serve was broken five times by Osaka and she made six double-faults.
“I wanted to do well here and not just because I won this event a couple times,” said 2006 and 2013 champion Sharapova. “I would have loved to stay longer it is just not going to happen this year.”
The Russian won her first WTA title since returning from a doping ban last October.