Australian Open, Preview: Maria Sharapova takes on Angelique Kerber in blockbuster R3 clash
Angelique Kerber’s recent revival faces its toughest test in the shape of Maria Sharapova when the only two former Australian Open champions in the women’s draw clash in round three on Saturday.
A cool front broke the grip of the high temperatures ahead of day six of the championships but there should still be plenty of heat out on court as the players battle for the remaining spots in the fourth round.
Defending men’s champion Roger Federer’s will look to continue his imperious advance through the draw when he meets Frenchman Richard Gasquet, while six-times champion Novak Djokovic and young gun Alexander Zverev are also in action.
Sharapova, who won the Melbourne Park title as a 20-year-old in 2008, missed last year’s tournament because of a 15-month doping ban and is still ranked a lowly 48th in the world as she continues her comeback. Left-hander Kerber has plummeted down the rankings from world number to 16th on the back of a year of good old fashioned poor form but has rallied with seven straight wins to start 2018.
Kerber, who joined Sharapova in the 30-something club on Thursday, beat absent reigning champion Serena Williams to win the 2016 Australian Open and is a …read more
