Australian Open revenge for Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova avenged her US Open loss to Anastasija Sevastova to move into the third round of the Australian Open.

Latvian Sevastova halted Sharapova’s grand slam comeback in the fourth round in New York last summer but this time it was the Russian who prevailed 6-1 7-6 (7/4).

Sevastova’s tricky game eventually wore Sharapova down at Flushing Meadows and she appeared determined not to let that happen here, blasting her way to the first set in just 23 minutes.

The second was much tighter, with Sevastova twice retrieving breaks to force a tie-break, but it was Sharapova who came through.

The 2008 champion is now likely to face a third-round clash against 2016 winner Angelique Kerber, who has made an unbeaten start to the season.