Sharapova struggles to escape Melbourne upset threat

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DPA ©

Maria Sharapova of Russia celebrates defeating Alexandra Panova

 Maria Sharapova survived a fright as the second
seed flirted with an upset loss Wednesday before claiming a place in
the third round of the Australian Open.
Sharapova eventually overcame fellow Russian Alexandra Panova 6-1,
4-6, 7-5.
The world number two, who could pass Serena Williams to regain the
top WTA ranking depending on results over the fortnight at Melbourne
Park, nearly found herself out of the event before making a late
recovery against her 150th-ranked opponent.
Panova, 25, came to the court with losses in all five of her previous
grand slam matches as she played the event for the second time.
The outsider held a 5-3 margin in the third set against an
off-the-boil Sharapova but was unable to close out the upset.
"I'm happy to get through, I was twice a point away from losing,"
said the 27-year-old Sharapova, a five-time champion at the majors.
"I was not playing my best tennis, I was just happy to win the last
point."
Trailing 3-5 and with her back to the wall, Sharapova held for 4-5
but found herself in a huge struggle in the ensuing game.
Twice she saved match points while Panova went on to save a break
point. But Sharapova got a second chance to break and did not waste
it with a forehand to the corner to break for 5-all and stay in the
chase.
The seed then sneaked out the win a game later on her second match
point as Panova sent over a forehand wide.
"She played (an) inspired match," Sharapova said of the qualifier.
"She came out with not much to lose, swinging freely and going for
her shots. I had a lot of challenges today.
"I didn't want to be out there two and a half hours," said the
winner. "But that's how it sometimes goes ... I played just good
enough to get through today."
Sharapova finished with eight aces, 38 winners and 51 unforced errors
while breaking Panova on seven of 14 occasions.
Russian tenth seed Ekaterina Makarova reached the third round over
Italy's Roberta Vinci 6-2, 6-4
In the men's draw, seventh seed Tomas Berdych put out Austrian Jurgen
Melzer 7-6 (7-0), 6-2, 6-2 in their second-round clash.
"The match was not easy one, there were tough condition again today,"
said the Czech winner. "He was playing very smart.
"His game plan was actually good to go. But after the first set I
found how to deal with that, how to handle it. Even though I was each
set break down, I managed to come back and to play some good tennis.
"My serve could be better, but in the tough situations and the tough
points, I'm able to help myself with the serve. I would say it's
going a good direction."
2006 finalist Marcos Baghdatis made a surprise appearance in the
third round over Belgian David Goffin 6-1, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 while Sydney
winner Viktor Troicki advanced against Argentine Leonardo Mayer 6-4,
4-6, 6-4, 6-0.
Frenchman Richard Gasquet beat Australian James Duckworth 6-2, 6-3,
7-5.