Mauresmo exits German Open

BERLIN, May 11 (Reuters) Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo slipped to a surprise 2-6 6-1 6-2 defeat by unseeded Ukrainian Julia Vakulenko in the third round of the German Open today.

Their tie had been carried over from yesterday when Mauresmo, the number two seed and a two-time Berlin champion, had led 6-2 1-1.

But world number 53 Vakulenko stormed back at the restart, reeling off five straight games to win the second set 6-1 and breaking Mauresmo's serve four times in the match.

Former world number one Mauresmo, back in action after a two-month layoff, put up brief resistance at the start of the final set, before crumbling.

Vakulenko will play Russian Dinara Safina later today.

Reuters TB VV1915