Rancho Santa Fe's Coco Vandeweghe fell short today in her bid to become the first San Diegan to reach the Wimbledon semifinals in 16 years, losing to former champion Maria Sharapova in the ladies quarters.
Vandeweghe, who is ranked No. 47 in the world and has never made it past the third round of a major tournament, forced Sharapova into a 2-hour, 46-minute battle before she succumbed 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-2.
The last player with San Diego ties to advance to the semifinals at the All England Club was La Jolla's Alexandra Stevenson in 1999.
Maureen Connelly of San Diego won three straight Wimbledon ladies championships in the early 1950s before injuries from a horseback-riding accident forced her to retire.
