MELBOURNE (AFP) – Maria Sharapova laid down her Australian Open title credentials on a scorching hot Melbourne day Thursday, with Caroline Garcia and fellow veteran Agnieszka Radwanksa joining her in the third round.
With the temperatures heading towards an energy-sapping 39 Celsius (102 Fahrenheit) and ice-towels in use, the Russian drawcard worked hard to get off court early against Anastasija Sevastova.
It was the Latvian 14th seed who ended her Grand Slam comeback in the last 16 of the US Open in 2017 as she returned from a drug ban. But not this time.
Sharapova was unstoppable in racing through the first set 6-1 before a battle in the second to prevail 7-6 (7/4), proving she must again be taken seriously.
Next for Sharapova is in-form 2016 Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber, who beat Donna Vekic, 6-4, 6-1.
Eighth seed Garcia also stayed in the title hunt, but she found it hard going against Czech teen Marketa Vondrousova who pushed her to three gruelling sets.
The Frenchwoman, who had a breakout year in 2017, winning two titles, eventually got over the line 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 8-6 in almost two-and-a-half hours.
British hope Johanna Konta is no longer in contention after she was bundled out by American ‘lucky loser’ Bernarda Pera.
Sydney-born Konta, a quarter-finalist last year, was no match for American, who is only in the main draw after a player pulled out before the Grand Slam began, as she fell 6-4, 7-5.
DJOKOVIC WINS
Six-time champion Novak Djokovic survived a brutal fitness examination to overcome Gael Monfils in intense heat and stagger into the third round.
Djokovic stretched his unbeaten record over Monfils to 15-0, with 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 win in 2hr 45min on baking Rod Laver Arena.
Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza became the biggest casualty so far – stunned by Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei in straight sets on Thursday.
The third seed, whose preparation was hampered by a thigh injury, was always trailing against the world number 88 before being edged out 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 in one hour and 59 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
Austria’s fifth seed Dominic Thiem fought back from two sets down to overcome American qualifier Denis Kudla and fierce heat to reach the third round.
