Sharapova’s WTA title hope and No. 1 chance over

Maria Sharapova’s hope of winning the WTA Finals and claiming the year-end No.1 ranking both ended on Friday despite a three-set victory over Agnieszka Radwanska.

Sharapova needed to win in straight sets to have any chance of progressing in the tournament, and had to win the title if she was to overtake Serena Williams at the top of the rankings.

Sharapova won the first set but collapsed from a 5-1 lead in the second set and lost it in a tiebreak. The Russian claimed the third to win 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-2 in over three hours.

Radwanska would qualify for the semifinals despite a 1-2 group-stage record if Caroline Wozniacki beat Petra Kvitova late on Friday.

The result of the early match meant Wozniacki was guaranteed of a semifinal berth.