Maria Sharapova of Russia

Two Russian beauty queens bit the dust on Sunday at the BNP Paribas Open. Former Indian Wells Champion and world number one, Maria Sharapova, continues to struggle with her comeback effort. The 22-year old battled China’s up and coming upset queen Zheng Jie for three hours only to come up short in the 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 third round match. Sharapova broke Zheng twice in the final set but was unable to improve her inconsistent serve as Zheng broke back each time.

At 3-4 in the third, Sharapova committed her 14th double fault allowing Zheng to serve for the match. The win marks Zheng’s first appearance in the fourth round at Indian Wells and typifies the unpredictability of the women’s draw. Sharapova became the fourth former champion to lose in an early round. Earlier upsets of Henin, Ivanovic and Hantuchova have signaled the new face of women’s tennis.

Zheng now moves on to play wild card Alicia Molik, who made short work of Great Britain’s young star Elena Baltacha in a 6-0. 6-2 drubbing.

Popular Maria Kirilenko, Russia’s second media magnet, was trounced thoroughly by second seed Caroline Wozniacki. The Dane has been off her game most of this year, but remains the top surviving seed at Indian Wells. Wozniacki had her most successful showing of the year in her dominant 6-0, 6-3 victory. Wozniacki was fortunate to escape her second round match with Vania King, but was in more polished form Sunday.

Two Russian women who did not have difficulty were Elena Dementieva and forceful Nadia Petrova. Dementieva was her elegant-self in posting a convincing 6-4, 6-2 win over Belgian Kirsten Flipkens. Dementieva has been erratic this season but is a two time tour winner.

Elena now moves on to play Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai who slammed her way to a gritty 6-7(4), 7-6(2), 6-4 win over Italy’s Francesca Schiavone. Rezai is one of the tour’s hardest hitters and her force was in overdrive in the three hour battle.

Sixteen seed Nadia Petrova was also on her game Sunday. She dismissed China’s Peng Shuai 6-1, 7-5 in 75 minutes. The Petrova-Wozniacki pairing will highlight fourth round play. Petrova was victorious in their only previous match.

Justine Henin’s conqueror, Christine Dulko, could not sustain the momentum and was humbled by 5th seed Aggie Radwanska 6-1, 6-0 in 59 minutes. Radwanska next plays 11 seed Marion Bartoli of France.

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