Sharapova out of Wimbledon

The former queen of Wimbledon Maria Sharapova is out if this year's tournament after losing 6-2 3-6 6-4 to unseeded Argentine Gisela Dulko - and may be losing some of her popularity among the SW19 public because of her extravagant grunting.
 
The 24-year-old Dulko was given a rousing standing ovation by the Centre Court crowd after defeating the former champion, and in a thrilling final set fans seemed to be leaning towards the lesser known - and quieter - player.
 
Dulko, an adequate replacement for Sharapova in the glamour stakes, started well and took the first set after racing into a 3-0 lead from the start. Sharapova fought back to win seven straight games after dropping her serve at the start of the second.
 
Both women broke serve in the final set, but when Sharapova was given a time violation she then lost the seventh game to give Dulko a scent of victory. As Sharapova slid towards the exit her legendary howls (once recorded at 101 decibels) increased in volume, clearly turning some members of the crowd against her.
 
Wimbledon fans have not yet resorted to booing the shriekers, as they did at the French Open with 16-year-old Michelle Larcher de Brito, but some jokers were heard imitating the screams of the female players between points today. ·