Sharapova downed in Madrid

Madrid - Maria Sharapova's French Open preparations were dealt a blow on Thursday as she was beaten in three sets by Kiki Bertens at the Madrid Open.

Sharapova, the Madrid champion in 2014, led by a set on Arantxa Sanchez court and threatened a comeback from 5-1 down in the decider but her Dutch opponent held on for a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory.

Bertens, who reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2016, will now face France's Caroline Garcia for a place in Saturday's final.

Results from the ATP/WTA Madrid Open on Thursday (x denotes seeding):

Men

Third round

Dusan Lajovic (SRB) bt Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG x4) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6)

Kevin Anderson (RSA x6) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-3, 7-6 (9/7)

Kyle Edmund (GBR) bt David Goffin (BEL x8) 6-3, 6-3

Denis Shapovalov (CAN) bt Milos Raonic (CAN) 6-4, 6-4

Women

Quarter-finals

Karolína Pliskova (CZE x6) bt Simona Halep (ROM x1) 6-4, 6-3

Caroline Garcia (FRA x7) bt Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 6-2, 6-3

Kiki Bertens (NED) bt Maria Sharapova (RUS) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3