Lob and Smash
Fansided

Angelique Kerber rolls over Maria Sharapova at Australian Open

By Harry Floyd

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: Angelique Kerber of Germany is congratulated by Maria Sharapova of Russia after their third round match on day six of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: Angelique Kerber of Germany is congratulated by Maria Sharapova of Russia after their third round match on day six of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Angelique Kerber strikes again. This time, she knocks former Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova out of the third round of play.

Angelique Kerber is unstoppable right now at the 2018 Australian Open.

The German tennis star defeats former tournament champion Maria Sharapova in the third round. She takes the match with ease, winning in just over one hour. After 64 minutes of action, Kerber wins the match in straight sets 6-1, 6-3.

More from Lob and Smash

Sharapova will leave Melbourne with some positive takeaways. Prior to the major tournament, she also reached the semifinals at the Shenzhen Open. While she still has a ways to go with her return to the WTA Tour, the Russian tennis star appears to be a contender yet again.

As for Kerber, she moves into the fourth round of play at Melbourne Park. Up next for the 2016 champion is Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan. Hsieh is coming off of two major upsets where she took down both Garbine Muguruza and Agnieszka Radwańska.

Angelique Kerber must fend off the red hot Hsieh Su-wei.

The German tennis star is the No. 21 seed this year at the Australian Open. While her 2017 WTA Tour saw some ups and downs, she is starting off 2018 in fantastic form. Just prior to the Grand Slam event, Kerber took the title at the Sydney International. She must be considered a favorite moving forward in Melbourne.

Related Story: Top 10: Men's Singles Tennis

Look for Kerber to be tested by Hsieh. She should, however, be able to handle any challenges thrown her way. The former world No. 1 is yet to drop a single set at the Australian Open and ought to continue on as one of the top contenders. Angelique Kerber is in action against Hsieh Su-wei on Sunday at the 2018 Australian Open. Check back to see how she progresses throughout the rest of her time in Melbourne.

Home/Australian Open