Maria Sharapova books place in last 16 after being taken to a decider by Lauren Davis as Russian earns 600th career win

Maria Sharapova defeated Lauren Davis 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-0 to reach last 16
The victory over the world No 103 was the Russian’s 600th career win
Sharapova joked afterwards: ‘I’ve won 600 matches? Oh boy. Is this like a friendly reminder that I’m getting old?’

Published:
05:03 GMT, 22 January 2016

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Updated:
06:59 GMT, 22 January 2016

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Maria Sharapova was made to work hard for the 600th win of her career as the Russian booked her place in the last-16 of the Australian Open on Friday.

Sharapova appeared to be cruising at a set up but was taken to a decider by American world No 103 Lauren Davis before coming through 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-0 in two hours and 14 minutes under the roof on Rod Laver Arena.

The 28-year-old appeared unaware, however, when told afterwards during the on-court interview of her landmark win, which comes almost 14 years after her first at the age of 14 in Columbus in February 2002.

Maria Sharapova celebrates after beating Lauren Davis to reach the last 16 of the Australian Open on Friday

Sharapova worked hard after being taken to a decider and went on to win to claim her 600th career victory

Sharapova stretches to return the ball against Davis with the Russian losing just one game in the opening set

Sharapova said: ‘Oh wow, I’ve won 600 matches? Oh boy. Is this like a friendly reminder that I’m getting old?’

The scale of the task facing Davis was perfectly illustrated as 5ft 2in 22-year-old walked out onto the court with Sharapova towering behind her at exactly one foot taller.

Sharapova lost just one game in an opening set which lasted just 26 minutes, but Davis fought hard to get back into the match as she moved 4-2 ahead in the second set.

Sharapova broke back to take it to a tiebreak but hit a forehand wide on set point down to bring an end to a lengthy second set which lasted 77 minutes – it was the eighth time in Sharapova’s last nine tiebreaks that she had failed to win it.

With Roger Federer and Grigor Dimitrov – Sharapova’s ex-boyfriend – caught on camera watching backstage as they waited patiently to take to the court, they would have been glad to see Sharapova return after a bathroom break and reel off six straight games in the deciding set.

American world No 103 roars with delight after taking a point against Sharapova during Friday’s clash

Sharapova blows a kiss to fans (left) and smiles as she leaves the court after stepping up in the third set

THE 600 CLUB

Maria Sharapova is the 17th player to achieve 600 match wins and fourth active to do so, joining Venus Williams, Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic.

Sharapova said: ‘I just let up. I was quite happy I was able to step up in the third set.’

Next up for Sharapova in the fourth round is a tough test against Swiss 12th seed Belinda Bencic, who came back from a set down to beat Kateryna Bondarenko 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Sharapova said: ‘She’s playing incredibly well. I’m glad to be in the fourth round. I have a great opponent on the other side and I’m going to do everything I can to win that match.’