A pumped up Maria Sharapova overcame an early wobble to secure her place in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Former champion overcomes wobble
A pumped up Maria Sharapova overcame an early wobble to secure her place in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
The 2008 champion was forced to fight all the way before finally toppling German Julia Goerges 4-6 6-4 6-4.
Having dug herself out of a hole after losing the first set, Sharapova had led 4-1 in the deciding rubber only to let Goerges back into the game.
Sharapova, though, came up with a thumping service game at the death to seal the victory in a shade under two and half hours.
"I wasn't really happy with the first set, especially being up a break," said Sharapova.
"Most important thing is, I fought for my chances. I stepped it up and started hitting a little bit deeper."
Painful
Sharapova will now face Andrea Petkovic, after the German 30th seed was handed a free pass into the next round.
Petkovic would have been expecting a tough battle against Venus WIlliams.
However the fourth-seeded American retired injured little after going 1-0 down, with Williams hurting her thigh lunging for a ball.
Williams' right thigh was already heavily bandaged after she had damaged it in the three-set victory over Sandra Zahlavova on Wednesday.
And she said: "I couldn't play, I couldn't move, it was just too painful.
"Often when you play you can get by on adrenaline but I didn't get enough of that tonight.
"It's super disappointing especially as I have never had to retire from a grand slam match.
"But I have peace of mind that I gave my best out there. My parents and coaches didn't think I should play."
