By Chris Oddo/ Wednesday, January 15, 2014

 

It was a long, difficult road, but Maria Sharapova relied on her fierce determination to get by Italian Karin Knapp, 6-3, 4-6, 10-8 on Day 4.

Photo Source: Corleve

Maria Sharapova's reputation as one of the greatest fighters in women's tennis has never been in question, but on Day 4, under the blazing sun in Melbourne, there were questions about Sharapova's place in the 2014 Australian Open draw.

Not anymore.

The Russian prevailed a grueling affair against an inspired Karin Knapp, 6-3, 4-6, 10-8, when the Italian's last ditch backhand sailed long at the 3:29 mark.

“It's tough for both of us,” she said. “We fought as hard as we could.”

Sharapova, seeded third, will face Frenchwoman Alize Cornet in the third round.

“She played some of the best tennis that I'd seen her play,” said Sharapova of Knapp, the World No. 44. “I knew that if I wanted to win this match I just had to win a few more points.” After failing to convert match points against late in the third set, tension began to build as the elapsed time of the deciding set stretched over 100 minutes.

Sharapova, who served for the match at 5-4, stayed with Knapp long enough despite her serving struggles to earn another chance at 9-8. Despite pouring in the final three of her 12 double faults on the day in that final game, Sharapova survived.

Like the entirety of this three hour and twenty-nine minute dogfight, the final game of the 115-minute third set was not easy. Sharapova would face a break point, which she saved with a remarkably clutch backhand down the line, then the Russian finally sealed the win it as Knapp's backhand sailed long on match point.

Simona Halep, Dominika Cibulkova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova also advanced in afternoon action on Day 4.