Ice-cool Maria Sharapova exacts revenge over Anastasija Sevastova to reach third round

ByMichael Hincks

Updated 18/01/2018 at 05:38 GMT

Maria Sharapova gained revenge over Anastasija Sevastova with a resounding 6-1 7-6 (7-4) victory over the 14th seed in the second round of the Australian Open.

Sevastova beat Sharapova in last year’s US Open fourth round, in what was the latter’s comeback Grand Slam following a 15-month doping ban.

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However, there were no such complications for the Russian in Melbourne, who hardly broke a sweat in the blistering heat when racing through the first set in 24 minutes.

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Highlights: Sharapova powers past Sevastova to reach third round

The second set started with a break of serve apiece, and while Sharapova moved 4-2 clear, Sevastova pegged her to 4-4.

Sharapova broke in the ninth game to find herself serving for the match, but the Latvian hit back to level up once again before forcing a tie-break – which ultimately went the way of the 2008 Australian Open champion.

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"When she broke me back I was like, 'Oh! Guess it's going to be three sets again', but look, she's a tough opponent, she has a game that's tricky on any day, no matter the conditions," Sharapova said after the match.

"I knew I had to get a really good start, that's what I did wrong in previous games, but ultimately I'm just happy to get through on a day like this."

The 30-year-old will now face 21st seed Angelique Kerber in the third round, after the 2016 champion overcame Donna Vekic 6-4 6-1.

The German took the first set after 43 minutes, and stepped up her game in the second, winning five games in a row to close the game out after just 70 minutes on court.

Kerber and Sharapova face one another for the first time in three years, in what will be their third meeting at a Grand Slam and eighth match-up overall.

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