Sharapova hoping to break Flushing Meadows hoodoo

Maria Sharapova looked in fine form as she dispatched America’s Mallory Burdette to reach the fourth round of the US Open.

The third seed needed only 58 minutes to defeat the 21-year-old college champion 6-1 6-1, and has now dropped only seven games in three matches at Flushing Meadows.

Sharapova’s power was simply too much for the American and her tally of two winners compared to her opponent’s 17 rather told the story of the match.

Sharapova will now hope to break something of a hoodoo, having not been past the fourth round at Flushing Meadows since winning the title six years ago.

Defending champion Sam Stosur progressed to the fourth round but ninth seed Li Na became the latest victim of teenage giant killer Laura Robson.

The 18-year-old from Britain followed up her victory over Kim Clijsters in round two, which sent the Belgian into retirement, by upsetting another former grand slam champion. Li, who won the French Open last summer, looked favourite to come through when she recovered from losing the opening set to level but Robson did not waver and deservedly clinched a 6-4 6-7 (5/7) 6-2 win.

One hour and 39 minutes was all it took for defending champion Novak Djokovic to book his place in the third round. The Serbian, looking to end the year on a high in terms of majors, saw off Rogerio Dutra da Silva in straight sets on Arthur Ashe, beating the unheralded Brazilian 6-2 6-1 6-2.

It was far from a vintage performance from the 25-year-old, who converted just six of the 16 break points that came his way, but he was never in trouble against an opponent who made 36 unforced efforts.

Fourth seed David Ferrer continued his straightforward progress with a 6-2 6-3 7-6 (14/12) victory over Dutch qualifier Igor Sijsling.

There was a popular victory, meanwhile, for American college champion Steve Johnson, who served his way to a 6-7 (3/7) 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 6-4 win over mercurial Latvian Ernests Gulbis.