Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova has been dumped out of the 2009 tournament by Gisela Dulko.
Former champion sent crashing by unseeded Argentinian
Argentina's Gisela Dulko produced a Centre Court shock by sending 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova crashing out of the tournament.
After being comfortable dispatched in first set and being a break down in the second, Sharapova came back admirably but was ultimately beaten 6-2 3-6 6-4.
The 24th seed made a poor start, losing the first three games against the clean-hitting Argentinian.
Sharapova then dropped her serve again in the eighth game to hand the set to Dulko and was broken again at the start of the second set when she dumped a stretching backhand into the net.
Fight
The 22-year-old fought back in her next service game, firing down an ace at game-point and then obtained a crucial break back.
Sharapova attacked the net on break point, causing Dulko to miscue a forehand before the Russian held serve to love in the next game to draw level.
The Argentinian was suddenly in free-fall and Sharapova resurged to win six straight games and force a dramatic, back-and-forth decider.
Sharapova extended her winning sequence to seven successive games at the start of the third set but Dulko crucially stopped the rot by holding her serve in the second game.
Dulko broke her opponent to edge in front but just as quickly dropped her serve as the tension grew in both players.
Happy
The Russian received a time violation in her third service game of the deciding set and then watched the match slip away from her after she was broken to love in the seventh game
Typically for this match, Dulko then served out a marathon game, where she passed-up four match-points before Sharapova finally put a forehand long.
"It's a great day for me, I feel really happy," the 24-year-old said after the match.
"I didn't play well in that second set but in the third I kept fighting. I was really nervous at the end, I wanted to finish there and not go five-all, she's very competitive but I am so happy.
"The crowd were great, I hope they will be there for the next match."
