Sharapova to lose top ranking after 4th-round loss

[July 03, 2012]  WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Maria Sharapova's bid for a second consecutive Grand Slam title ended Monday with a 6-4, 6-3 loss to Sabine Lisicki in the fourth round at Wimbledon that will also cost her the No. 1 ranking.

Sharapova was trying to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2002 to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.

The Russian completed a career Grand Slam by taking the trophy at Roland Garros last month and secured the No. 1 ranking.

Sharapova will lose the No. 1 spot in next week's rankings to either Victoria Azarenka or Agnieszka Radwanska.

Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004 and was the runner-up last year, when she beat Lisicki in the semifinals.

[Associated Press]

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