Maria Sharapova beats Ekaterina Makarova in three sets to reach China Open third round
MARIA SHARAPOVA has reached the third round of the China Open after beating Ekaterina Makarova 6-4 4-6 6-1.
Maria Sharapova shows off exercise routine on Instagram
The 30-year-old wildcard beat Anastasija Sevastova in a tight three-set match in the opening round.
And Sharapova was once again pushed all the way, this time against her compatriot Makarova, whom she beat seven times in a row.
After winning the first set 6-4, the world number 104, who is continuing her return to tennis from a doping ban, lost the second set by the same score.
But the five-time Grand Slam champion raced away in the deciding set, breaking three times to win 6-1.
Maria Sharapova returns a shot against Ekaterina Makarova
.@MariaSharapova triumphs 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 past Makarova in all-������������ clash!
— WTA (@WTA) October 3, 2017
Advances to @ChinaOpen Third round pic.twitter.com/EfJwAhnPhh
Sharapova could now face second seed Simona Halep, who she beat in the first round of the US Open, in the round of 16.
She said: "I thought the level of tennis was quite high.
"We had a few breaks in the first [set]. I felt that despite losing that second set, I was motivated to start the third.
"I was the more aggressive player in the end. I started reading her patterns and a little bit of everything I think helped me win."