Maria Sharapova scorched the Rod Laver Arena to eliminate defending Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki 6‑4 4‑6 6‑3 in the third round in Melbourne last night.
Five‑times Grand Slam champion Sharapova, who won her last major at the 2014 French Open, hit 37 winners against 10 from her opponent and converted her second matchpoint to set up a fourth round clash against Australia number one Ashleigh Barty.
The resurgent former champion will meet Barty in a fourth‑round blockbuster tomorrow.
The Russian, who was hit with a two‑year doping ban ‑ later reduced to 15 months ‑ for testing positive to banned substance meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open, hasn't won a major since her 2014 triumph at the French Open.
[Source: Radio NZ]
