Melbourne: Maria Sharapova’s hopes of a title-winning return to the Australian Open were unceremoniously crushed by Angelique Kerber as the battle of the former champions ended 6-1, 6-3 in the German’s favour here Saturday. In another match World No.1 and top seed Simona Halep just managed to live another day as she saved three match points and overcame throbbing ankle pain to edge out Lauren Davis 4-6, 6-4, 15-13.
The Rod Laver Arena evening clash between the only two Grand Slam winners left in the women’s draw had the feel of a showpiece final rather than a third-round clash but it was Kerber who rose to the occasion.
Sharapova had looked menacing in the opening two rounds. But Kerber, who plummeted down the rankings last year after finishing 2016 at No.1, broke Sharapova’s serve in the first game of the match and that set the tone for what followed.
She streaked away with the first set and although 2008 champion Sharapova briefly threatened a fightback after falling behind in the second, it was not to be the Russian’s night.
A fluffed drop shot attempt at 3-4 followed by an unforced error gave 2016 champion Kerber breathing space with a break and she finished the contest in the next game.
The German made only seven unforced errors in the 64-minute contest and, on the court celebrated victory with the look of a woman who firmly believes she is back in business.
“Of course this was quite a big match,” Kerber, who began working with new coach Wim Fissette at the end of last year, told reporters. “Maria is a champion. She’s always dangerous, especially at the Grand Slams. So this win will be special.”
Meanwhile, Halep fought back from the brink at 11-10 in the epic deciding set before finally serving out the contest on her fourth attempt after a taxing three hours and 44 minutes at the Rod Laver Arena.
She sealed the win on her first match point when 76th-ranked Davis fired a forehand into the tramlines, as the hard-hitting American coughed up a mind-boggling 73rd unforced error.
A shattered Halep declared herself ‘almost dead’ in the wake of a 142-minute deciding set featuring more twists than the Transfagarasan mountain highway in her native Romania. It was a win, said the French Open finalist, that might have slipped through her fingers in years past.
“I think now I’m much stronger (mentally),” the 26-year- old told reporters. “I was a little bit frustrated because of the leg. I felt the pain all match, but I didn’t give up.
Sixth seed Karolina Pliskova remained on course for a semifinal clash with Halep as she beat fellow Czech Fed Cup teammate Lucie Safarova 7-6(7-6), 7-5 to move into the fourth round.
Important results
Madison Keys bt Ana Bogdan 6-3, 6-4
Naomi Osaka bt Ashleigh Barty 6-4, 6-2
Hsieh Shu-Wi bt A Radwanska 6-2, 7-5
Barbora Strycova bt Bernarda Pera 6-2, 6-2
Agencies