Sharapova ousted in French Open semifinal

PARIS — Maria Sharapova, who will be playing with the Newport Beach Breakers on July 25, lost in the women’s semifinals of the French Open on Thursday.

The Russian-born Sharapova, the No. 2 seed, fell to No. 7-seeded Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, 6-2, 6-1.

Sharapova was trying to advance to her third straight Grand Slam final, after winning last year’s U.S. Open, but falling in this year’s Australian Open final to Serena Williams.

Sharapova, who is 20 and now lives in Bradenton, Fla., is the No. 2-ranked women’s player in the world. She won Wimbledon in 2004 at the age of 17, the second-youngest women’s Wimbledon champion in the Open Era.

Sharapova played with the Breakers of World Team Tennis from 2003-05.

The July 25 date, against the New York Sportimes and John McEnroe, is a home match to be played at Newport Beach Country Club, site of the team’s new venue: Breakers Stadium.

Sharapova was originally scheduled to play with the Breakers on July 16.

ALBANESE REACHED FINAL

The Newport Beach Breakers’ Lauren Albanese reached the final of the Home Depot Center USTA Women’s Challenger event Sunday in Carson.

Albanese, a 17-year-old from Coral Springs, Fla. who was drafted by the Breakers in the third round of March’s World TeamTennis Player Draft, was unseeded in the tournament.

Albanese defeated No. 3-seeded Sunitha Rao of India, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, in the Round of 16, No. 5-seeded Estefania Craciun of Uruguay, 2-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, in the quarterfinals and No. 8-seeded Maria-Fernanda Alves of Brazil, 6-3, 6-3, in the semifinal.

Albanese then dropped the final, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, to No. 7 seed Jessica Kirkland.

Albanese, ranked No. 275 in the Women’s Tennis Assn. World rankings, will be a World TeamTennis rookie and full-time roster player for the Newport Beach Breakers, who open play July 5 at Breakers Stadium in the parking lot of the Newport Beach Country Club against the Sacramento Capitals.

— From staff reports