Maria Sharapova returns to Timea Bacsinszky during the Wuhan Open on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Fourth seed Maria Sharapova crashed out of the $2.4 million WTA Wuhan Open in two sets on Wednesday  Nike Air Footscape España , while Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and world No.8 Angelique Kerber made the quarterfinals.

Sharapova was defeated by Swiss qualifier Timea Bacsinszky in a tight game, losing the first set at the tiebreak and the second 7-5 - a result which broke the hearts of the local crowd who were supporting the Russian world No.4.

Bacsinszky, the world No.61, knocked out US Open semifinalist and 13th seed Ekaterina Makarova in the -second round.

"There were a lot of times in the match where I did everything right for the first few balls and then didn't execute in the points  Nike Flyknit Trainer España ," Sharapova said.

"I think I always allowed her to get another ball back and to make me play another ball.

"Then obviously that didn't help me, because I was making more mistakes."

The tournament has already suffered the loss of a string of seeds, including world No.1 Serena Williams, and -local hero Li Na - who announced her -retirement days before the competition -started.

Bacsinszky will go on to play Denmark's world No.8 Caroline Wozniacki  Nike Air Force 270 España , who defeated Australian -Casey Dellacqua 6-0, 6-3, in the quarterfinals.

Czech third seed Kvitova defeated her compatriot Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 2-6  Nike Air More Uptempo España , 6-4 to seal her place in the last eight.

Germany's Kerber, the seventh seed in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, lost only two games in her match with Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic  Nike PG 2 España , crushing her opponent 6-1, 6-1.

"I played a very good match. It was tough, because Barbora is a great player and she played very well," Kerber said.

French players Caroline Garcia and Alize Cornet also made it through to the quarterfinals.

Cornet took the first set against Belgian Kirsten Flipkens at the tiebreak -before she was given a shock in the -second  Nike Air Humara España , in which she won only one game.

But the world No.22 appeared more dominant in the third set, finally sealing victory with a scoreline of 7-6 (74), 1-6, 6-3.

"I think that Kirsten played much -better in the second set  Nike Air Foamposite One España ," Cornet said.

"Already at the end of the first set she was playing better, and it was good that I took that first set."

Cornet described the final games of the match as a "huge fight", adding, "I was just fighting and trying my best. At the end it worked out."

Garcia continued her fine run in -Wuhan with victory over Coco Vandeweghe.

The 20-year-old rising star  Nike Air More Money España , who claimed the scalp of world No.6 Caroline Radwanska in the second round, defeated the American 6-3, 6-2 to make it through to the quarterfinals.

Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, another player who performed heroics in the second round  Nike Zoom VaporFly España , suffered a miserable afternoon after she withdraw from her third-round match with gastritis before a ball was hit.

Muguruza had defeated second seed Simona Halep in the second round.

Her opponent, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, will meet Kerber in the quarters.

(Agencies)

RIO DE JANEIRO， June 3 (Xinhua) -- Ten refugees will participate at this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro by representing a new flag for athletes that have fled conflict-riven countries and regions， the International Olympic Committee said on Friday.

The team includes five runners from South Sudan， two swimmers from Syria， two judokas from the Democratic Republic of Congo and a marathon runner from Ethiopia.

They will be a part of the first ever Refugee Olympic Team (ROT).

"They will form a team unlike any other that has competed in the Olympic Game before ... giving hope to people displaced by war and social unrest all over the world，" the official Rio2016 website said.

Former marathon world record-holder Tegla Loroupe of Kenya will be the team's chef de mission， while Brazilian Isabela Mazao will be her deputy.

The ROT delegation will also include five coaches and five other officials.

IOC president Thomas Bach said the initiative would send a powerful message of hope to asylum seekers around the world.

"It is a signal to the international community that refugees are our fellow human beings and are an enrichment to society，" he said.

"These refugee athletes will show the world that despite the unimaginable tragedies that they have faced， anyone can contribute to society through their talent， skills and strength of the human spirit."

The Refugee Olympic Team:

Rami Anis (male): Country of origin - Syria; host NOC - Belgium; sport - swimming

Yiech Pur Biel (male): Country of origin - South Sudan; host NOC - Kenya; sport - athletics， (800m)

James Nyang Chiengjiek (male): Country of origin - South Sudan; host NOC - Kenya; sport - athletics (400m)

Yonas Kinde (male): Country of origin - Ethiopia; host NOC - Luxembourg; sport - athletics (marathon)

Anjelina Nada Lohalith (female): Country of origin - South Sudan; host NOC - Kenya; sport - athletics (1500m)

Rose Nathike Lokonyen (female): Country of origin - South Sudan; host NOC - Kenya; sport - athletics (800m)

Paulo Amotun Lokoro (male): Country of origin - South Sudan; host NOC - Kenya; sport - athletics (1500m)

Yolande Bukasa Mabika (female): Country of origin - Democratic Republic of the Congo; host NOC - Brazil; sport - judo， (70kg)

Yusra Mardini (female): Country of origin - Syria; host NOC - Germany; sport - swimming

Popole Misenga (male): Country of origin - Democratic Republic of the Congo; host NOC - Brazil; sport - judo (-90kg)

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