Sharapova won a close three-setter against Julia Goerges in round three.(credit:
Wikimedia)
Maria Sharapova will meet Andrea Petkovic on Sunday for a place in the quarterfinals of the Australian OpenFollowing a tough third round match against Julia Goerges, Maria Sharapova will now face another German opponent, Andrea Petkovic, for a place in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Sharapova was pushed all the way by Goerges in round three, but managed to emerge with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Her situation contrasts strongly with that of Petkovic, who barely had to play any tennis in her third round match against Venus Williams. Williams retired with an injury that had been sustained in her match against Sandra Zahlavova.
Whilst Sharapova is going to be the more fatigued of the two competitors here, she will at least be grateful that she managed to avoid Williams. She enters this match against No. 30 seed Petkovic as the favourite.
The pairing have only met once previously in official competition. The match, which Sharapova won convincingly (6-3, 6-1), took place on a hard court in Cincinnati last season.
Whilst too much can be read into previous encounters, it looks like Sharapova should be aiming to get this match finished in straight sets as well. Prior to this season, Petkovic had never made it past round two in Melbourne. Sharapova’s power and experience are likely to be the difference here, though Petkovic has the ability to put up a challenge if she can gather some momentum.
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