The Russian enjoyed a promising start, clinching the first set against the higher-ranked opponent, but lost momentum in the second set which she failed to regain in the defeat, which lasted two hours and 16 minutes.
Maria Sharapova began the tournament with an impressive three-set victory over world No 2 Simona Halep, but faced a player who mixed an all-court game with excellent movement to counteract the added power in her opponent's baseline hitting.
The first set was a close affair with both players exchanging service breaks but Sharapova hit her straps to break the Latvian's serve with a number of powerful and accurate return winners to seize the initiative in the match.
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| Anastasija Sevastova |
However, Anastasija Sevastova, who reached the quarter-finals in New York last year, started the second set hitting the ball with more aggression and used her slice to clever effect to manoeuvre the Russian around the court
The exertions of the Russian in the first week appeared to catch up with Sharapova as the match progressed and Sevastova gained in belief to hold off the former world No 1's efforts to break the Latvian's serve in the latter stages of the set.
Sevastova raced into a 3-0 lead in the third set with a double break of serve as the Russian managed to win only one point, only for her to increase the pressure on the Latvian as the winning line neared.
Sharapova, who received a wildcard into the main draw, recovered one of the breaks to reduce the deficit but the 27-year-old Latvian composed herself to secure victory on her fourth match point.
Anastasija Sevastova will next meet the in-form American home favourite Sloane Stephens after the 24-year-old battled to a 6-3 3-6 6-1 victory over Germany's 30th seed Julia Goerges.
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