Clijsters, Sharapova ousted

WIMBLEDON, England (AP):

Top-seeded Maria Sharapova was knocked out of Wimbledon yesterday, losing 6-4, 6-3 to Sabine Lisicki in the fourth round just a month after completing a career Grand Slam.

Lisicki, a 15th-ranked German, outplayed the 2004 Wimbledon champion in the wind and rain on Court One for her first career victory over Sharapova in four matches. She avenged last year's loss to Sharapova in the Wimbledon semi-finals.

Also advancing were four-time winner Serena Williams and defending champion Petra Kvitova, but four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters lost in what she says is her final Wimbledon before retirement later this year.

In men's play, six-time champion Roger Federer was the first to reach the quarters, overcoming an early back problem to beat Xavier Malisse 7-6 (1), 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 and extend his record for most consecutive Grand Slam final-eight appearances to 33.

Bad back

Federer said his back started hurting in the first few games of the match, but he felt much better after taking a medical timeout and receiving treatment.

"I feel way better than a few hours ago,'' Federer said. "Honestly, I'm not too worried. I've had bad backs over the years. I just have to keep an eye on it now. ... I hope I'll be 100 per cent on Wednesday.''

Lisicki will next face fellow German and No. 8 Angelique Kerber, who drubbed Clijsters 6-1, 6-1. Third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska also advanced, beating Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi 6-2, 6-3.

The sixth-seeded Williams won the last three games of the final set to beat 65th-ranked wild card Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan 6-1, 2-6, 7-5, in cool and gusty conditions on Court Two.

Williams will next face Kvitova, who rallied from a set and a break down to beat former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in an error-strewn match on Court Three. It was the second straight tough three-setter for Williams, who won 9-7 in the third to beat Zheng Jie in the third round.

The first player to reach the quarters was 37th-ranked Austrian Tamira Paszek, who beat Italy's Roberta Vinci 6-2, 6-2 to reach the final eight for the second straight year.