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Dasha throws racquet-smashing tantrum in Sharapova loss


Daria Gavrilova has come under fire after her latest racquet-throwing tantrum in the Italian Open defeat to Maria Sharapova.

The Aussie’s campaign ended after she fell to former world No.1 Sharapova 6-3 6-4 in Rome.

Gavrilova got off to a slow start after her late-finishing win over Garbine Muguruza and trained 5-1 in the opener before saving three set points to pull a game back but five-time major winner Sharapova soon regained the ascendancy.

The 24-year-old’s frustrations began to get the better of her in the second set as the match began to slip away from her.

Gavrilova has been criticised over her racquet-throwing antics. Pic: Getty/WTA
Gavrilova has been criticised over her racquet-throwing antics. Pic: Getty/WTA

Serving to stay in the match at 5-4 down, ‘Dasha’ exploded with rage after handing Sharapova a crucial point with a double fault.

Gavrilova smashed her racquet into the clay court in disgust before tossing it carelessly towards the side of the court.

She then threw another racquet away in frustration moments later when Sharapova broke serve to clinch the match.

Gavrilova has somewhat of a racquet-throwing history, with the Aussie coming under scrutiny in the past for almost hitting a ballboy after a petulant outburst.


The Aussie’s latest antics have drawn plenty of criticism from fans on social media.

Even though the victory was not as clean as possible, Sharapova saw the glass half-full.

“I just like the way that I’m competing.” she told the WTA’s website.

“I like the way that I feel out there. I think that’s really important, you know … I just like the attitude with which I’m playing with.”

Sharapova will face French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in the quarter-finals in their first-ever meeting.

Ostapenko won through by beating Johanna Konta – who was celebrating her 27th birthday – 2-6 6-3 6-4.

“I’ve seen quite a bit,” said Sharapova of her quarter-final opponent.

“There’s something that really comes out from her on this surface, which she’s able to do really well.”

Defending champ Svitolina won safely through to the next round in Rome. Pic: Getty
Defending champ Svitolina won safely through to the next round in Rome. Pic: Getty

Earlier, defending champion Elina Svitolina continued her title defence after battling back from a set down to beat Daria Kasatkina.

Ukraine’s world No.4 secured a 0-6 6-3 6-2 victory in a hard-fought contest to reach the quarter-finals.

Angelique Kerber will be Svitolina’s opponent in the last eight after the German former world No.1 dispatched Maria Sakkari of Greece 6-1 6-1.

Top-ranked Simona Halep will likely maintain her status after she entered the quarter-finals without hitting a ball.

Her opponent Madison Keys withdrew from their match earlier in the morning due to a right rib injury.

Halep, runner-up last year in Rome, will next play Caroline Garcia, who knocked out Sloane Stephens 6-1 7-6 (9-7).

And eighth seed Venus Williams fell to Anett Kontaveit 6-2 7-6 (7-3), for her second defeat by the Estonian in as many weeks after losing to her in Madrid.


With AAP