Czech left-hander Lucie Safarova sent Maria Sharapova home from Paris far earlier than the Russian is used to. Sharapova, defending champ and winner in 2012, failed to reach the quarterfinals after a tough loss to the big hitting Safarova, 7-6(3), 6-4. Sharapova was a finalist in 2011 and 2013 and seemed a sure bet, seeded No. 2, to reach the semifinals. But Safarova put that foolhardy assumption to rest in straight sets.
Safarova was the aggressor all day, taking her first set edge and building a 3-0 advantage in the second before Sharapova mounted a futile comeback. Safarova, ranked World No. 13, hit 34 winners.
