Maria Sharapova, 2006 Indian Wells winner, was defeated by Zheng Jie 6-3 2-6 6-3 in two-hour, 43-minute in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open.

Maria had been leading 3-2 in the deciding third set against Zheng Jie when the problem flared up and she called for the trainer.

"It was my elbow," Sharapova said. "I just felt like I couldn't extend it all the way. It was a little stuck."

Sharapova said she has felt pain in the same area as far back as last year's U.S. Open. In all her comments Sunday, she seemed subdued. "It's just disappointing," Sharapova said. She also admitted the problem had hampered her serving ability.

"On my serve it was really blocked extending it," she said. "I just felt like I couldn't really extend it all the way. It was a little stuck. I'm sure I'll have a check-up on it."

The 22-year-old claimed, though, she should have had the game wrapped up long before the injury.

"I'd have periods of good games, and then the problem is trying to keep them all together and not be so up-and-down," Sharapova said. "It was just very inconsistent."

Zheng said she executed her game plan, which was to keep Sharapova moving.

"If she stay there [in one place], I'd never have a chance, because she plays so hard and so aggressive," Zheng said.


She also said that when Sharapova called for the trainer in the third set, it was a good thing for her. "I was so tired," Zheng said. "She called the trainer and I think, ‘Oh, good chance for me to rest.' "

Sharapova has no special solutions to correcting whatever is wrong.

"Go back out there and keep working," she said. "There's no secret formula to anything."


(photo/Reuters Pictures)

Jie Zheng stops Maria Sharapova at Indian Wells