BEIJING, China - The quarterfinal line-up at the China Open began to take shape on Wednesday but for Maria Sharapova it just didn't come together, as the new Tokyo champion saw her seven-match winning streak come to a halt against one of China's rising stars, Peng Shuai, in the round of 16.
Sharapova won six matches to win her first Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title of the year last week and in her first match at the China Open on Tuesday she survived a three-hour, nine-minute marathon against the No.9 seed, Victoria Azarenka, coming back from 5-2 down in the third set to win. But against Peng, who, like her, was unseeded, it seemed like all of the tennis caught up with her. She fell behind to Peng, 62 52, and although she almost pulled off one of her trademark comebacks, closing to 62 54 and getting to deuce, the gas ran out. 
Shot of the Day: Peng Shuai Interview: Peng Shuai
In other matches, No.4 seed Elena Dementieva crushed No.16 seed Li Na 62 60; No.6 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Alona Bondarenko 63 46 60; and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova beat Aleksandra Wozniak 64 64.
"I think she was a little bit tired," Dementieva said of Li. "Li had a great result in Tokyo but I was trying to focus on my game. She's a very impressive player and I was worried about this match." Interview: Elena Dementieva
"I was a little disappointed to lose the second set, but I stayed in the match, which was important," Kuznetsova said. "The courts suit my game. I like coming back here every year." Interview: Svetlana Kuznetsova
The other four round of 16 matches will take place Thursday. Serena Williams will be in action a day after winning her second round match and securing a Monday, October 12 return to the world No.1 ranking.
