Maria Sharapova overpowered Alison Riske 6-3 7-6(4) at the Cincinnati Masters on Monday to set up a tantalising second-round battle with world number two Ash Barty, who defeated the Russian at 2019’s Australian Open.
Hometown hero Ashleigh Barty muscled past Maria Sharapova on Sunday to make the Australian Open quarter-finals where she will meet Petra Kvitova who matched her best Slam performance since a terrifying knife attack derailed her career.
Maria Sharapova scorched the Rod Laver Arena with her aggressive tennis to eliminate defending Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 4-6 6-3 in the third round on Friday.
When Serena Williams rushed towards the net to smash the ball away with all her might, the tremors felt all around Suzanne Lenglen Court on Saturday signalled only one thing – she was back in town to shake things up at the French Open.
Maria Sharapova marked her first appearance on Court Philippe Chatrier in three years with a 6-2, 6-1 rout of Karolina Pliskova to set-up a potential French Open last-16 duel with old rival Serena Williams on Saturday.
SABC © 2019
