Maria Sharapova ticked off more items on her “to-do” list at the Australian Open, returning to center court and accounting for the only person who has beaten her at a Grand Slam since her comeback from a doping ban.
Sharapova advanced to the third round with a 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) win over No. 14-seeded Anastasija Sevastova as the temperature began to rise at Melbourne Park.
“It’s a warm day. I did my job in two sets against someone that’s been troubling in the past for me,” Sharapova said. “So third round of the Australian Open, I don’t know, I think I deserve to smile out there after that victory.”
With a forecast high of 39 C, Sharapova appeared to be in a hurry to get off the Rod Laver Arena court ASAP and won the first set in 23 minutes.
The five-time major winner was broken while serving for the match, but recovered quickly in the subsequent tiebreaker to advance in the tournament.