Anastasija Sevastova registered a victory over Maria Sharapova in the fourth round of the 2017 US Open at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Latvian defeated the wild-card receiver Sharapova in the round of 16 on 3 September. Although the former world No 1 managed to take the first set by 7-5, Sevastova turned the match towards her side in the second and the third set. She won the next two sets by 6-4, 6-2 and stopped the dream run of the Russian.
Sharapova was serving a 15-month ban for using a prohibited drug. Her world rank dropped and after her return in April, she started again as a 146 ranked player. The former received a wild-card entry to US Open and beat world No 2 Simona Halep in the first round.
The 30-year-old defeated the Hungary's Timea Babos and the American tennis player, Sofia Kenin before losing to Sevastovaon Sunday.
"It's been a really great ride in the last week. I can take a lot from this week. It's great to get that major out of the way. It was an incredible opportunity. I'm very thankful for the opportunity. I did my best. I can be proud of that," Sharapova was quoted as saying by Reuters.
"I think there are a lot of positives, playing four matches, playing in front of a big crowd and fans. Just competing, you know, being in that competitive environment.
"That's what I missed. You can't replicate that anywhere, especially at a grand slam. I think the competitiveness and the desire and the love for what I have, I mean, I think there are a lot of things that can be taught in tennis, but maybe those things just have to come from within."
Before the Sunday's match against Sharapova, Sevastova had defeated the German player Carina Witthoeft, the Ukrainian Kateryna Kozlova and the Croatian Donna Vekic.
Sevastova received a major victory in 2017 Mallorca Open. She defeated Julia Görges from Germany. She was also featured in Wimbledon, Bucharest, Bastad, Canadian Masters and Cincinnati Masters.
The 16th seed, Sevastova has already proved her determination by defeating the 2017 Wimbledon winner Garbine Muguruza and British player Johanna Konta on the same Arthur Ashe Stadium in the 2016 US Open.
Sharapova tried hard to break Sevastova's defensive skills but regretted when she made 51 errors.
"The first set was very close, it could have gone either way," Sevastova explained, as quoted by the BBC.
"She played unbelievably throughout the first and second set and I just kept fighting, running after every ball, and just stayed there."
