Sharapova bows out, Nadal sets up Djokovic showdown

Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic (L) shakes hands with Maria Sharapova of Russia after winning their women's singles match during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, June 1, 2015. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier

PARIS (Reuters) - A cold chill circulated around Maria Sharapova as the title holder was frozen out of the French Open on Monday but there was no stopping Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal from blazing a trail towards a scorching showdown.

A day after rain played havoc with the schedule, Sharapova's hopes of reaching a fourth successive final at Roland Garros were turned to dust in the fourth round by the dynamite forehand of Lucie Safarova, the Czech winning 7-6(3) 6-4.