Melbourne: Five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova upset defending champion Caroline Wozniacki to reach the Australian Open women’s singles fourth round here, Friday after an epic three-set match.
The Russian, who is seeded 30 at Melbourne Park, bundled Denmark’s World No.3 out of the tournament 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to claim her biggest scalp since returning from a drugs ban in 2017.
Sharapova’s win sets up a last 16 clash with in-form Australian hope Ash Barty. The 31-year-old Sharapova, who won the title at Melbourne Park in 2008 has reached the final a further three times.
“I knew I was going to get a really tough match as she’s the defending champion and it’s no secret she loves this arena,” Sharapova said after shocking Wozniacki. “I haven’t played many matches in the last year, especially against top players and these are the ones I train for, so it’s really rewarding to win.”
There were dramatic momentum shifts in the battle between the two former World Nop.1s, but the decisive period came when Sharapova stormed back from 1-4 down to go on a five-game winning streak and take the first set.
After Wozniacki came back she then broke the Dane late in the third set, screaming ‘come on’ after gaining the advantage.
AFP