US Open 2017: Maria Sharapova downs gutsy Sofia Kenin to progress to fourth round

Sharapova appeared to be making light work of the 18-year-old, breaking early after holding her opening serve, but Kenin broke straight back.

It was a gutsy display by Kenin who gave Sharapova a run for her money, but her inexperience showed as she consistently judged returns poorly and Sharapova eventually got the better of her in just shy of an hour and three quarters.

Sharapova, competing in her first Grand Slam since serving a ban for doping thanks to a wildcard, remains not at her best, having grappled with injuries since her return to competition, and despite being ranked 139 in the world, Kenin’s power caused more than a few problems for the 30-year-old.

However, after taking the opening set Sharapova appeared to have the bit between her teeth once more, and she powered through to a 3-0 advantage in the second in what seemed like no time.

Kenin at one point look as if she would stage a convincing enough comeback as she broke Sharapova’s serve, but the Russian came back stronger still to win the next three games and the match.

"We had never faced each other and she came out having nothing to lose and it's always dangerous so I'm happy I went through," said Sharapova.

"I did not see the ball too well at the beginning of the match, I wasn't getting the shots that I wanted," she added. The Russian will now face Anastasija Sevastova for a spot in the quarter-finals.

Sharapova said she found the start to the match tough after two three-set matches before this:

"Coming into this match playing two three-setters, I'm just happy I got it done in two. Give my body a little bit of a break," she said.

"I took a day off yesterday just as a prevention.

"I did not see the ball too well at the beginning of the match, I wasn't getting the shots that I wanted ... but got better as the match went on."