Sharapova battles past Hantuchova

Australian Open, fourth-round latest:

M SHARAPOVA Rus * v D H'TUCHOVA Svk

6-4 6-4

* denotes server

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Second set

Sharapova 6-4 Hantuchova
Hantuchova survives two match points but Sharapova serves it out to book her quarter-final place as she puts away her third chance with a sweet forehand.

Sharapova 5-4 Hantuchova
Sharapova makes her move to break Hantuchova's serve as she unleashes a salvo of superb forehand passes to leave her the chance to serve out for the match.

Sharapova 4-4 Hantuchova
A see-saw match sees Sharapova produce one of her best service games to date to pull level as she gives her Slovakian opponent little chance of retrieving a series of powerful baseline drives.

Sharapova 3-4 Hantuchova
Hantuchova regains the initiative by holding her serve to love as she looks to avoid lengthy rallies with her leg still giving her problems.

Sharapova 3-3 Hantuchova
Hantuchova returns after a three-minute medical break with a heavily strapped left thigh and immediately earns herself two break points. But Sharapova fights back to hold her serve and level the scores.

Sharapova 2-3 Hantuchova
Sharapova breaks back and seems to sense her opponent is struggling with injury as she ruthlessly moves her all over the court. Hantuchova calls for the trainer as she walks slowly back to her seat before leaving the court to commence treatment.

Sharapova 1-3 Hantuchova
Sharapova stops the rot with a solid service game but Hantuchova shows signs of struggling with a leg injury as she stretches out between points and looks to be wincing with pain.

Sharapova 0-3 Hantuchova
Hantuchova's positive approach seems to be paying real dividends as she builds on the service break, forcing Sharapova into a string of errors, and building a three-game cushion.

Sharapova 0-2 Hantuchova
Hantuchova races into a two-game lead after a sublime forehand gives her break-point before Sharapova wilts under pressure to hit into the net and suffer another service break.

Sharapova 0-1 Hantuchova
Hantuchova looks to have recovered from losing the first set as she holds serve, despite making her second double-fault at 30-30.

First set

Sharapova 6-4 Hantuchova
A bad service call at break point unsettles Hantuchova and allows her Russian opponent to serve out for the first set in 45 minutes.

Sharapova 5-4 Hantuchova
Sharapova shows her class as she breaks again to leave herself serving for the first set.

Sharapova 4-4 Hantuchova
Hantuchova refuses to cave in and finally breaks back to level after her opponent had saved four break-points.

Sharapova 4-3 Hantuchova
Hantuchova survives break point before forcing her opponent to hit long at advantage and pulling herself to within one game.

Sharapova 4-2 Hantuchova
Sharapova turns up the heat on her opponent with some fierce baseline drives to move two games clear.

Sharapova 3-2 Hantuchova
Hantuchova suffers a second successive service break as her wayward forehand at advantage, sees her opponent take the lead for the first time.

Sharapova 2-2 Hantuchova
Sharapova holds her serve for the first time, showing some positive passing shots, although Hantuchova is still looking to be positive.

Sharapova 1-2 Hantuchova
Sharapova breaks back immediately with some sweet cross-court drives and finally looks to have settled into the match.

Sharapova 0-2 Hantuchova
Sharapova shows early signs of nerves as she double-faults at 15-30 and then hits a weak forehand into the net to give her opponent a two-game lead.

Sharapova 0-1 Hantuchova
Hantuchova starts in the best possible way, holding her service to love to win the first game.