Sharapova progresses to Fourth Round

Maria Sharapova has won her third round match 6-2 6-4 against Katarina Srebotnik, of Slovenia at Wimbledon today.

The reigning champion and number two seed was given a useful test by the world's number 57 and her relief was clear as she punched the air in celebration after working through her longest contest so far to win 6-2 6-4 in 91 minutes.

Srebotnik went 2-1 up in the second set with a love game before Sharapova registered her first ace of the day when replying in kind in the net.

It proved a key moment as the favourite broke her rival to love in the following game.

Srebotnik fought to hold her next serve and forced three break points immediately afterwards but she was confounded by another 106mph ace that allowed the champion to set up a 5-3 lead.

Both players then held serve and Sharapova took the match 6-2 6-4.