MELBOURNE, Australia — Maria Sharapova steadied herself and overcame a feisty opponent to beat Lauren Davis of the United States, 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-0, on Friday to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam winner, raced through the first set in just 26 minutes but struggled through a 77-minute second set before coming back in the third to earn her 600th career win.
Sharapova served 16 aces but made 42 unforced errors, compared with just 34 by her 103rd-ranked opponent.
The No. 5-seeded Sharapova, of Russia, faces the Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic in the next round and could meet her top-ranked rival Serena Williams in the quarterfinals.