A quick flick through the record books and Maria Sharapova might have known she was going to be in trouble on Monday against Sabine Lisicki.
‘I’ve beaten the French Open champion three times here,’ said Lisicki, still wearing the smile that had lit up Court No 1 since early afternoon.
‘In 2009 I beat Svetlana Kuznetsova, last year Na Li, and this year Maria. I guess they shouldn’t be in my part of the draw.’
Going home: Maria Sharapova has been knocked out by Sabine Lisicki
Contrasting emotions: Sharapova and Lisicki react at the conclusion of their match
It was all, of course, blurted out through a cheeky giggle. And why not? The German 22-year-old had just beaten the world No 1 6-4, 6-3, an exact reverse of last year’s semi-final defeat by the same opponent.
She deserved it, too, her huge serve and thundering groundstrokes bullying the Russian out of the game.
The favourite for the tournament, Sharapova never looked like winning, despite a brief upturn at the end of the first set.
Instead she wore a look of distress and by the end even her shrieking had a depressing tone to it.
This defeat not only leaves her heading home but toppled from the world No 1 position she has held for just a few weeks, with Victoria Azarenka or Agnieszka Radwanska ready to grasp the often poisoned chalice at the top of the women’s game.
Sharapova’s loss means only six of the past 36 women’s Grand Slams have been won by the No 1 seed. ‘I had chances but I didn’t take them,’ said a philosophical Sharapova, who did what many would not and stopped to sign autographs on her way off court.
Victory: Sabine Lisicki marches on
‘But she played extremely well. You just have to hand it to her. If she serves as well as she did today and is as aggressive as she was, there’s no doubt she has a lot of potential.’
These women could not have come into Wimbledon with more contrasting fortunes.
Sharapova completed her Grand Slam set by winning the French Open and regaining the world No 1 spot while Lisicki arrived in SW19 having lost in the first round at her last four tournaments. Not that you would have known it. After taking the initiative by breaking Lisicki in the opening game of the match, Sharapova struggled to assert her authority, losing her next two service games and struggling with her movement.
On Lisicki’s serve, she struggled sometimes to even get into the point as the German sent down balls at up to 118mph.
Li Na was half-joking last year when she said Lisicki served like a man. Sharapova was not laughing, breaking back at 5-3 down only to lose her serve - and the set - in the next game.
The second set was barely a contest, Lisicki breaking for 4-2 and never looking back.
She had smiled for almost every minute of the match but swapped it for tears as her second serve ace sealed the win. Court No 1 roared - they had been on her side from the start. It was sweet revenge for Lisicki, not only for last year but for her two other defeats by the Russian.
Shake on it: Sharapova (right) congratulates her opponent
‘It was revenge for all three of them,’ said Lisicki afterwards, relishing being back on the grass where her serve is so effective.
Her enthusiasm captivated the Court No 1 crowd and the press room. ‘I enjoy the sport. I just love playing tennis and I love being out there, especially at my favourite tournament.
‘I just have fun out there. I smile because even if I miss a shot by a little, I was going for the right one, so there’s nothing to be mad about.
‘I felt great. As soon as I stepped on the court I also felt like I was playing very well, so I was feeling very confident.’ For Sharapova, there is now the agony of seeing someone else win the trophy she claimed in 2004. For Lisicki, there is a derby against fellow German Angelique Kerber and the real hope of a second consecutive Wimbledon semi-final.
Not that she is getting carried away. ‘I’ve been playing better with each match and better each year, so we’ll see where I end up,’ she added.
The twinkle in her eye suggested she fancies her chances a fair bit more than that.
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