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Maria Sharapova through to Australian Open fourth round in three sets

Maria Sharapova is taken to three sets by Lauren Davis, but she comes through to seal a place in the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Maria Sharapova was taken to three sets by her American opponent Lauren Davis in the third round of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Friday.

Maria Sharapova in action against Lauren Davis during day five of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2016© Getty Images

The 2008 champion was tested by the 22-year-old but she came through in a 6-1 6-7(5) 6-0 win.

The first set was fairly routine for Sharapova as she broke twice before taking the lead on the hard court, but it was a trickier affair in the second.

After Davis lost serve in the third game, she immediately broke back to draw level on 2-2 before breaking again to take the lead for the first time in the match.

Lauren Davis in action against Maria Sharapova during day five of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2016© Getty Images

Sharapova responded with a break of her own but from then, neither player could be separated and a tie-break ensued.

It was Davis who came out on top as she won the breaker 7-5, but she struggled to keep the momentum as she crumbled in the third set.

The American did not win a single game in the decider and Sharapova wrapped up the set in just 31 minutes.

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Heather Watson of Great Britain walks off after losing her first round match against Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia during day one of the 2014 Australian Open on January 13, 2014
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