Maria Sharapova overcame a brief lapse which cost her the second set before storming through for a 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-0 win over Lauren Davis to reach the second week of the Australian Open on Friday.
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If Sharapova wins she is in line to meet Serena Williams in the quarter-finals – and the American appears to be hitting form too after she despatched another Russian, Daria Kasatkina, 6-1 6-1.
Up 2-0 in the second set and closing in on victory, the Russian’s serve crumbled, allowing Davis to reel off five consecutive games and eventually capture a tense second set tie break.
Sharapova stormed to victory in her most recent match, securing her place in the tournament’s final 16 after defeating Davis 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-0. The world number one, who is seeking a 22nd grand slam title, said: “I definitely think I played better during the match”.
“I played a quality player who took out Federer last year here and who has been on the tour for many years”, Djokovic said.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – Maria Sharapova played two almost flawless sets on either side of the one where she struggled against Lauren Davis in a slight hiccup at the Australian Open.
After the match Sharapova was modest and self-effacing about her 600th win milestone, a mark only 16 women in the history of the sport have achieved.
“You’re aware of it – I’m a veteran so I”, don’t get distracted, Federer said. After the match, the on-court announcer asked what she did in the bathroom.
However, Sharapova bounced back with her service game in the third set and broke Davis three times on her way to a bagel, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
“I still tried to believe even though it wasn’t ideal in the first set”, Bencic said after advancing in two hours on a third match point. Yet, Bencic, a 18-year-old Swiss phenom, mobilized to win in three sets to set up a fourth-round match with Sharapova.
Oh, wow, I’ve won 600 matches?
Roger Federer was already a long way clear at the top of the list of men with the most wins in Grand Slam singles matches, so becoming the first to 300 wasn’t a major distraction.
Sharapova has never played Bencic but will know of her recent conquests.
“Yeah, an impressive player”. I’ve played here in Melbourne for many years. But Davis prevailed, winning the second set when a tight Sharapova forehand fell wide. But her concentration waned and Davis got her first break point of the match, with Sharapova’s backhand into the net levelling it at 2-2.
She added: “I have been doing it for a long time”.
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The Swiss won two tournaments previous year – including in Toronto, where she upset Williams.
