22 Sunday, January 21, 2018 SPORTS Kerber smashes Sharapova Melbourne end. Kerber won 86 per cent of and everything about the match, ngelique Kerber signalled points on her first serve while about against who I was playing. her return to form by Sharapova could only manage I was just more trying to go out positive for a Abattering 6-1 37pc. on the special court for me and banned substance here 6-3 in the third round of the “Of course this was quite play good .” in 2016 resulting in a 15-month . a big match,” Kerber, who As much as this was a ban, had looked menacing in Kerber looked at her best for began working with new coach resounding declaration of the opening two rounds. some time as she polished off Wim Fissette at the end of last Kerber’s return to top form, But Kerber, who plummeted Sharapova in 64 minutes. year, told reporters. “Maria it also showed just how much down the rankings last year The 21st seed obliterated is a champion. She’s always progress Sharapova has to make after finishing the year before Sharapova in the first set, and dangerous, especially at the as she orchestrates her own at number one, broke her serve while the Russian looked like grand slams. return. in the first game of the match offering some resistance in the “But I was really trying to not Sharapova, back in and that set the tone for what second, she faded right at the think about everything around Melbourne after testing followed. (Eurosport) Angelique Kerber returns a shot (Picture coutesy: Xinhua) Djokovic Berdych overpowers Del Potro Melbourne ot many players makes Noverpower Juan Martin del Potro but Tomas Berdych did just that to win 6-3 6-3 6-2 and reach the fourth round of progress the Australian Open for the 10th time yesterday. Del Potro arrived in Melbourne with high hopes having re-entered the world’s top 10 for the first time since 2014 but was no match for the 19th-seeded Czech. “Maybe it’s the good air here,” Berdych said on Hisense Arena to explain his consistency in the year’s first Tomas Berdych celebrates slam. “I think he was just better “He hit very hard, he served Berdych struck 52 winners than me today,” del Potro, who very well and played a smart on his way to setting up a clash had led 5-3 in their previous game. He deserved to win. No with Italian Fabio Fognini. meetings, told reporters. excuses today.” (Reuters)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot (Picture courtesy: Xinhua) Zverev collapses to Melbourne needed treatment. with where my game is.” ovak Djokovic’s game He said: “It was a straight Having spent six months defeat by Chung was back but question sets win but almost two and sidelined by an elbow problem, Nmarks remain about his body a half hours, it wasn’t that it is not surprising that Melbourne old Zverev complaining after a straight-sets win over easy, I had to earn all of my Djokovic is experiencing a few elentless South Korean bitterly to the umpire Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the points. I knew Albert is a great physical niggles back in the heat Hyeon Chung ground that the lights should third round of the Australian fighter. of competition. fourthR seed Alexander be switched on despite Open. “For me it’s taking one The problem did not affect Zverevinto submission in a it being only 6 p.m. in After his struggles in the match at a time. I had some him too badly, though, with ferocious battle of young guns overcast Melbourne. heat against Gael Monfils, incredible memories in Ramos-Vinolas unable to to reach the fourth round of “I can’t see anything,” Chung Hyeon hits a return Djokovic looked much more Melbourne Park and that apply any real pressure as the Australian Open yesterday. the German told the (Picture courtesy: Xinhua) assured in a 6-2 6-3 6-3 victory comes back every time I step Djokovic moved through German wunderkind official. over his Spanish opponent. out on the court but I have to a fourth-round clash with Zverev led by two sets to one The lights were duly faulted twice to gift Chung a But Djokovic appeared to to be more humble with my young Korean Chung Hyeon, but 58th-ranked Chung was switched on but once the break at the start of the fifth and tweak something in his upper expectations this time because who knocked out fourth seed unflappable and roared back to bespectacled Chung took the when he dropped serve again left leg or lower back at the I haven’t played for six in five sets. win 5-7 7-6(3) 2-6 6-3 6-0. It all fourth set, there only looked to two games later he demolished end of the first set and twice months, but I’m very happy (PA Sport) proved too much for 20-year- be one winner. Zverev double- his racket. (Reuters)