Maria Sharapova vs. Lucie Safarova: Score and Reaction from 2015 French Open

Lucie Safarova put on a tremendous performance to knock defending French Open champion Maria Sharapova out of the tournament Monday, winning 7-6(3), 6-4 on the Philippe-Chatrier court in the fourth round.

Safarova defended smartly, attacked at the right moments and kept Sharapova guessing throughout a tight match. Roland Garros' Twitter account provided confirmation of her victory:

Both players started well, but it was Safarova who took the initial break. The 28-year-old forced Sharapova to hit beyond the baseline with a thumping return, taking a 2-1 lead in the opening exchanges. 

Sharapova then found her power, forcing Safarova onto the defensive with some well-placed serves and forehand returns. She set up two break points with a drop shot, taking the second to make it 3-3. At this point, the tournament's official Twitter account highlighted the quality exchanges between the pair:

The Russian then pushed on to take a 5-4 lead, momentarily pounding Safarova into a restrictive shell. However, the Czech player began to apply greater pressure by creeping toward the net, levelling the set at 5-5 with a sweeping backhand across court.

Sharapova marched into a 6-5 lead, but for the second time in quick succession, Safarova served to stay in the set. The latter raced into a 3-0 tiebreak advantage and then watched on as Sharapova served her first double-fault to make it 4-1. Safarova set up five set points with a simple rush to the net, and then she confirmed the set when Sharapova hit wide from a harmless return.

Roland Garros tweeted this moment:

Safarova took the opening three games of the second set, hitting shorter than Sharapova perhaps expected. The defending champion then found an extra gear—and incredible angle on her serve—to make it 3-2. Safarova missed a huge break opportunity with a misplaced volley, followed by Sharapova serving two consecutive aces to make it 3-3 in the second.

The Guardian's Nick Miller provided his view on Safarova's botched shot: "Safarova doesn't so much let her off the hook as rip the hook from the wall and plumps up some cushions for Sharapova to sit on, after putting an absolute sitter of an overhand from a loopy lob into the tramlines."

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Ben Rothenberg of the New York Times also noted: "Safarova misses an easy forehand, turns to her box and smiles. Sharapova covers her mouth and starts coughing heavily. About sums it."

However, Safarova regained her cool to serve out the next game. At 5-4 in her favour and having gained her first match point, Safarova missed another volley to let Sharapova back in. The ball sat in the air for an age, perhaps giving her too long to think about her shot.

She set up another match point with a stunning defensive shot just moments after, and then she gained the victory with a smooth forehand across court to stop the second seed from retaining her title.

Safarova will now rank among the favourites for the competition. She isn't renowned for seeing out big matches against the best, but she overcame a handful of poor shots to deliver in the vital moments. Sharapova just didn't have enough imagination and craft to switch up her game when needed.

She spoke to the press after the loss, per Roland Garros' Twitter account:

No doubt Safarova, Serena Williams and numerous others will now look at the 2015 French Open title with greater hope. Sharapova didn't play particularly badly in her defeat and would have progressed beyond most with that performance, but her lack of intensity allowed Safarova to deliver a terrific victory.

She deserved the win and will now take increased self-belief into the next round. Such confidence will be pivotal to Safarova taking her career to the next level, perhaps starting with a run to the French Open's latter stages.

Safarova will face No. 21 seed Garbine Muguruza of Spain in the quarterfinals after Muguruza knocked off Flavia Pennetta.