Sharapova loses to Bondarenko

Former world number one Maria Sharapova was beaten 6-2, 6-2 by Ukraine's Alona Bondarenko in the quarter-finals of the Warsaw Open on Thursday.

Russian Sharapova was making her comeback at the tournament after a shoulder injury had prevented her playing singles since last August, although the 22-year-old made a brief return to competition in the doubles at Indian Wells in March, losing in the first round.

Eighth seed Bondarenko was in control throughout the match, breaking Sharapova's second serve early in the first set.

In the second, the Bondarenko won five straight games as three times grand slam champion Sharapova lost several to love.

"I have played her (Sharapova) twice before her injury and I thought the match would be harder," Bondarenko told a news conference.

"She makes more mistakes than before the injury... her serve was a little slower."