Maria Sharapova of Russia speaks at a news conference after being defeated by Michelle Larcher De Brito of Portugal in their women's singles tennis match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in London June 26, 2013.  [Photo/Agencies] 

Third seed Maria Sharapova suffered a shock defeat to Portugal's qualifier Michelle Larcher De Brito in the second round of Wimbledon Championships in London on Wednesday.

Sharapova, the 2004 winner, saved four match points in a thrilling final game before succumbing 6-3, 6-4 to a 20-year-old De Brito, who is playing her third Wimbledon.

It was Sharapova's third-time second-round exits following 2008 and 2009 in her 11 appearances since 2002.