Yesterday Marion exited the 2009 Wimbledon Championships, beaten in straight sets by Italian Francesca Schiavone.

The first set was intense, exciting, and could have swung either way. The set was finally settled when Schiavone took her chances in the tie break.

With many long hard rallies, it seemed nigh on impossible for Marion to close out points with a winner. Every time she approached the net she was being exposed and passed.

In many ways the match unfolded more like a clay court one than a grass court one. Sometimes high looping balls which were maybe difficult for Marion to generate killer pace against.

The match was being played increasingly on the Italian's terms as Marion seemed to fade in the 2nd set. Schiavone continued to produce decisive winners and a sustained high level of play.

Marion certainly never gave up, and even at 3-0 down in the 2nd set battled hard to try get on the scoreboard and revive her chances. But when your down, games can pass so quickly. 

But in a  matter of minutes Francesca Schiavone had the match won, receiving serve.

"Of course, it's disappointing, but I think today she was just better than me." said Marion, I was keeping hitting the ball, hitting the ball, hitting the ball, and the ball keeps coming back, keeps coming back."

Asked about the speed of the grass Marion said "I think it gets really slower and slower honestly, especially during the first week." 

For a player who plays her best tennis on fast courts this deterioration of court speed is detrimental to her chances.

The course of this third round was reminiscent of last year's third round against Bethanie Mattek. But if cruel symmetry can be found in the score line, any comparisons should end there, because Marion has made up a lot of ground over the past 12 months. She is visibly leaner, and has shown that she has that extra metre around court. Despite a third round Wimbledon exit, Marion's form chart has shown a net gain over the past 6 and past 12 months.

All fans have big dreams and hopes, but truly professional in everything she says and does, Marion  only expressed a cautious optimism about her level of her play.

"I smile when I come back here" said the former Wimbledon finalist earlier in the week. A week which has seen two excellent wins, and a loss to an old foe.  

Marion remains philosophical,