Sharapova, Kerber, Potro, Federer, Keys, Thiem, Djokovic into third round

Konta, Muguruza, Goffin out

FE Team | Published: January 19, 2018 00:33:19

Spain's Garbine Muguruza reacts during their women's singles second round match against Taiwan's Hsieh Su-Wei in Melbourne on Thursday. — AFP

MELBOURNE, Jan 18 (Agencies): Maria Sharapova ticked off more items on her "to-do" list at the Australian Open, returning to center court and accounting for the only person who has beaten her at a Grand Slam since her comeback from a doping ban.
Sharapova advanced to the third round with a 6-1, 7-6 (4) win over No. 14-seeded Anastasija Sevastova as the temperature began to rise at Melbourne Park on Thursday.
Ninth-seeded Johanna Konta was more exposed to the heat on an outside court, and lost to U.S. lucky loser Bernarda Pera 6-4, 7-5.
Next up is in-form 2016 Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber, who beat Donna Vekic in two easy sets as she starts to rediscover her best again after a miserable last year.
In another match, Former US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro fought off rising Russian Karen Khachanov as he battled through the pain barrier to reach the third round at the Australian Open.
The Argentine 12th seed needed 3hr 45 min in oppressive court conditions to see off the 47th-ranked youngster 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (0/7), 6-4 on Hisense Arena.
Defending champion Roger Federer advanced to the third round for the 19th straight Australian Open with an easy win over Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff.
The Swiss second seed was too strong for the 55th-ranked Struff, reeling off a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) victory in 1hr 55min in the night match on Rod Laver Arena.
US Open finalist Madison Keys was happy to get out of the heat after barely breaking sweat in registering a rapid 6-0, 6-1 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova Thursday.
Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza became the biggest casualty of the Australian Open so far-stunned by Taiwan's Hsieh Su-Wei in straight sets.
The third seed, whose preparation was hampered by a thigh injury, was always trailing against the world number 88 before losing 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 in one hour and 59 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
Austria's fifth seed Dominic Thiem fought back from two sets down to overcome American qualifier Denis Kudla and fierce heat to reach the third round at the Australian Open. Thiem looked headed out the door before he turned around the match in the third set and went on to complete a 6-7 (6/8), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 victory in 3hr 48min on Margaret Court Arena.
In searing on court temperatures, Thiem wore down the 190th-ranked Kudla to set up a third round match against Czech Jiri Vesely or French 26th seed Adrian Mannarino.
Belgian seventh seed David Goffin crashed out of the Australian Open Thursday, losing to Frenchman Julien Benneteau in the second round.
Goffin won the opening set but was edged out in a tight tiebreaker for the second set which proved pivotal in the gruelling heat.
Benneteau prevailed 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) in 2hr 54 min to claim his second win over Goffin in three encounters.