Tennis: Fourth seeded Russian Maria Sharapova fought off three set points before booking her place in the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-1 7-5 victory over American qualifier Ashley Harkleroad.
The former world number one and 2004 Wimbledon champion mixed her strong serve with some stylish ground strokes to overcome Harkleroad, while showing little sign of the shoulder injury that had threatened to derail her chances.
After putting up little early resistance, Harkleroad fought back to break Sharapova's serve in the eighth game of the second set and then held set points but was unable to force a decider.
The American then double-faulted at the end of the 11th game to hand Sharapova a break and a vital advantage.
Sharapova required treatment for a blister on her left foot and will need to iron out some of the errors that crept into her game, but remains on course for a fourth round match against defending champion and 13th seed Serena Williams.