Live Commentary: Karin Knapp vs. Maria Sharapova - as it happened

Maria Sharapova took on Karin Knapp in the baking heat at the 2014 Australian Open on Thursday with a place in the third round at stake.

Knapp, ranked 44th in the WTA rankings, had never progressed beyond round two of the Melbourne major.

Would that change or would third seed Sharapova continue her quest to win her fifth Grand Slam title? Find out below by revisiting the action with Sports Mole's blow-by-blow text updates.

3.58amLive coverage of this match has now ended, but you can click here to follow the next match at Rod Laver Arena - Christina McHale vs. Caroline Wozniacki.

3.44amFinal match stats. Total points won Knapp: 112 Sharapova: 124 Winners Knapp: 20 Sharapova: 34 Unforced errors Knapp: 55 Sharapova: 67 Net points Knapp: 6/7 Sharapova: 6/6 Aces Knapp: 3 Sharapova: 2 Double faults Knapp: 9 Sharapova: 12 Receiving points won Knapp: 49/116 (42%) Sharapova: 57/120 (48%)

3.42amAlize Cornet, who beat Camila Giorgi 6-3 4-6 6-4, will be Sharapova's opponent in round three.

3.41amSharapova finally outlasts her opponent, who produces back-to-back errors to end this extraordinary match after 207 minutes.

3.41amSHARAPOVA WINS 6-3 4-6 10-8!

Knapp 3-6 6-4 8-9* SharapovaFIFTH MATCH POINT FOR SHARAPOVA!

Knapp 3-6 6-4 8-9* Sharapova40-40: Incredible backhand winner from Sharapova that just catches the outside of the line.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 8-9* Sharapova30-40: Sharapova delivers her 12th double fault of the match - her third of the game!

Knapp 3-6 6-4 8-9* Sharapova30-30: Knapp shanks a tired crosscourt backhand wide and long.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 8-9* Sharapova15-30: Sharapova double-faults again! Her 11th of the match.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 8-9* Sharapova15-15: Sharapova double-faults.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 8-9* Sharapova15-0: Backhand unforced error from Knapp.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 8-9* SharapovaSHARAPOVA BREAKS! Knapp fights back to 30-40, but Sharapova seals her seventh break of the match by tempting the Italian into a risky backhand, which plunders into the net. For the second time today, the Russian will serve for the match.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 *8-8 SharapovaKnapp produces an unforced backhand error and a double fault, sandwiched either side of a forehand winner from her opponent. The result is THREE BREAKS POINTS FOR SHARAPOVA!.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 *8-8 SharapovaKnapp gets excited as she reaches 30-30 on Sharapova's serve, leaving her just two points from a sensational victory. However, the third seed gets her first serve firing just in time and holds to 30.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 8-7* SharapovaKnapp continues to play with real aggression and is duly rewarded as she comes out on top in two powerful forehand exchanges with Sharapova, who then donates a couple of backhand errors, which are gratefully received. In other words, Knapp wins four consecutive points and holds to 30!

Knapp 3-6 6-4 *7-7 SharapovaA forehand winner gives Sharapova the opening point in game 14. She then draws an error from Knapp's backhand to make it 0-30.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 *7-7 SharapovaSharapova looks under real pressure at 15-15, but three consecutive errors from Knapp's forehand hand the Russian a priceless hold to 15.

3.13amHEAT SUSPENSION UPDATE: Once the current sets are complete, there will be no play on outside courts until 5am UK time (4pm in Melbourne).

Knapp 3-6 6-4 7-6* SharapovaKnapp holds to 30 from the sunny end!

Knapp 3-6 6-4 *6-6 SharapovaThe Russian keeps her nerve - for once! She holds to 30 and this energy-sapping contest continues. Remember, there are no tie-breaks at the Australian Open, so this one could last a while yet!

Knapp 3-6 6-4 6-5* SharapovaKnapp holds to 30. Sharapova must now serve to stay in the match!

3amBREAKING NEWS: Tournament organisers have implemented the Extreme Heat Rule, meaning that the Rod Laver Arena roof will be closed once this match is completed. It also means that play will be suspended on all courts without roofs once the current sets are complete.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 *5-5 SharapovaKNAPP BREAKS BACK! The Italian hits a backhand winner and, after Sharapova fails to convert three match points, we are all level again. Incredible.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 4-5* SharapovaAdvantage Knapp: Sharapova double-faults for the eighth time in this match!

Knapp 3-6 6-4 4-5* Sharapova40-40: Knapp forehand unforced error.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 4-5* SharapovaAdvantage Knapp: Sharapova double-faults for the seventh time today.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 4-5* Sharapova40-40: Sharapova backhand unforced error.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 4-5* SharapovaAdvantage Sharapova: The Russian hits her second ace of the match to bring up a THIRD MATCH POINT!

Knapp 3-6 6-4 4-5* Sharapova40-40: The second is saved too, as Sharapova's forehand is off target!

Knapp 3-6 6-4 4-5* Sharapova40-30: Knapp cracks a lovely backhand winner to save the first match point.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 4-5* Sharapova40-15: TWO MATCH POINTS FOR SHARAPOVA!

Knapp 3-6 6-4 4-5* Sharapova30-15: Another backhand unforced error from Knapp.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 4-5* Sharapova15-15: Knapp levels the game with a forehand smash winner.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 4-5* Sharapova15-0: Backhand unforced error from Knapp.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 4-5* SharapovaAided by three unforced errors from her opponent, Knapp holds to 30. Sharapova must now serve from the sunny end. Can she finally close out? Let's find out...

Knapp 3-6 6-4 *3-5 SharapovaSharapova holds to 15. Knapp must now serve - from the sunny end - to stay in the Australian Open.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 3-4* SharapovaA time violation is called against Sharapova, who receives a first warning. The Russian then wins a thrilling point. She hits a powerful crosscourt forehand that catches the net and lands just inside the sideline. Knapp manages to get the ball back, but Sharapova races to the net to volley home an aggressive winner. Some players may have apologised for that net cord, but Sharapova screams in delight. 40-15.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 3-4* SharapovaSHARAPOVA BREAKS! The 2008 champion spurns two more break points with unforced errors before Knapp's sixth double fault of the match presents the Russian with a fifth opportunity to break in game seven. This time, she converts, testing her opponent with a stinging forehand drive, which Knapp's backhand can only deflect into the net.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 *3-3 SharapovaTWO BREAK POINTS SAVED! Knapp saves the first with a fearless forehand winner. Sharapova then comes up with another unforced error on her backhand. 40-40.

Knapp 3-6 6-4 *3-3 SharapovaBack on Laver, Sharapova has TWO BREAK POINTS!

2.28amRESULT: Japanese number one Kei Nishikori is safely into round three. He completed a straight-sets win over Dusan Lajovic about 10 minutes ago. Click here for our match report.

Written by

Robert Summerscales

Live Commentary: Karin Knapp vs. Maria Sharapova - as it happened

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