Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova has lost her German Open quarterfinal match to former world No. 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium, 6-2, 6-4.
Sharapova could have taken the top ranking if she had won this clay-court event, but now American Lindsay Davenport will remain the top player in the world. Henin-Hardenne is in the midst of a comeback from a viral infection and a knee injury that sidelined her last season.
The Belgian next takes on Switzerland's Patty Schnyder, an upset winner over U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznestova of Russia, 6-2, 6-2.
Sixth-seeded Nadia Petrova of Russia reached the semifinals by knocking defending champion and second seed Amelie Mauresmo of France out of the tournament, 6-2, 6-3.
Petrova faces either countrywoman Elena Bovina or Serbia-Montenegro's Jelena Jankovic. The Petrova-Jankovic quarterfinal was tied at one set apiece (6-3, 3-6) when play was suspended Friday because of darkness. The match will be finished Saturday.
The clay-court tournament is one of several events players are using to prepare for the second major tournament of the year, the French Open, which starts later this month in Paris.
Some information for this report provided by AP
