Two-time Roland-Garros champion Maria Sharapova sent out a message of intent with an emphatic 6-2 6-1 victory over No.6 seed Karolina Pliskova to book her spot in the fourth round.
Sharp Sharapova pounces to oust Pliskova
The two-time champion commanded proceedings to book a 12th Roland Garros fourth round berth.
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“I improved quite a lot in this match from my first two rounds. I had to. I didn't really have a choice against a player like her,” reflected Sharapova, having secured hard-fought victories over Richel Hogenkamp and Donna Vekic so far in Paris.
“I guess these are the types of occasions where you want to play really good, solid tennis against a top-10 player that's been playing extremely well. When you're able to deliver that on a Grand Slam stage, I think it makes it extra special.”
In the battle of the former world No.1s, it was Pliskova who stole an instant break, pouncing on the short ball to then arrow a backhand passing shot down the line.
Sharapova sharply found her range and relentless returns arcing onto the baseline sent the Stuttgart champion and Madrid semi-finalist off balance.
Within 16 minutes the Russian had accelerated to a 4-1 lead over Pliskova, her punchy one-two strokes doing the damage.
"This was my match to win. I wanted to perform well. I played smart and did the right things."@MariaSharapova #RG18 pic.twitter.com/N9wDspwfrH
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2018
Such was the confidence of Sharapova, who ruled at Roland-Garros in 2012 and 2014, she struck a left-handed forehand instead of her usual double-handed backhand during a rapid rally. The No.28 seed may not have won that point but soon closed out a commanding opener in half an hour.
At 2-1 Sharapova clinched the pivotal break in the second set; hot on the heels of an errant smash from Pliskova, the five-time Grand Slam champion then connected with a rasping backhand return winner.
“I thought I did a really good job of being aggressive on the return, giving her different looks on the return. I was solid. I played smart. I think I did the right things,” declared the Russian. “I was aggressive on the break points, I went for it. I took the match rather than her giving it to me.”
Within an hour Sharapova had booked a 12th appearance in the Roland-Garros fourth round, where she awaits a potential blockbuster with Serena Williams or Germany's Julia Goerges.
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“I think any time you play against Serena you know what you're up against. You know the challenge that is upon you. Despite the record that I have against her, I always look forward to coming out on the court and competing against the best player. I will look forward to doing that if she wins this one,” added Sharapova, currently down 2-19 in their head-to-head, having last tasted victory against Williams in 2004.
“When I'm facing against Serena or we happen to be in a similar quarter of the draw, there is much more attention toward that. That's not a secret for anyone in this room,” stated a defiant Sharapova.
“No matter the record against her, I still come into this tournament and want to put myself in the position to play against the best. By coming out in the match today and beating the No. 6 in the world, I might have the opportunity to do that. That's what I continue to do. That's why I keep on playing.”
Should Goerges navigate past Williams, Sharapova would enter their fourth round showdown with a favourable 4-0 record against the world No.11.