TNT Sports
Bad day for Russians
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Published 30/06/2003 at 22:00 GMT+1
Maria Sharapova's dreams of becoming the first wildcard to reach the women's quarter-finals at Wimbledon evaporated into the grey skies when she was humbled 6-1 2-6 7-5 by compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova on Monday. Playing on an overcast court four, the 16
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Of the five who had started the day hoping to reach the last eight at Wimbledon for the first time in their careers, only 18-year-old Kuznetsova was left standing by the early evening.
Russian number two Elena Dementieva was the first to be humbled as she was sent packing by defending champion and world number one Serena Williams 6-2 6-2.
Serena's sister Venus soon got into the act, avenging her French Open fourth round defeat and ending Vera Zvonareva's assault on the title with a 6-1 6-3 hammering.
Anastasia Myskina, a 6-2 6-3 loser to another American in Jennifer Capriati, was also shown the exit door before the day was over to leave Kuznetsova as the sole Russian survivor.
But Kuznetsova will have her work cut out to keep alive her title hopes in the next round as she plays French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne for a place in the semis.
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