Sharapova fights her way to third round

World number four struggled with painful blisters as she overame stubborn Harkleroad in straight sets.

World number four Maria Sharapova struggled with painful blisters as she fought her way into the Australian Open third round with a 6-1, 7-5 victory on Wednesday.

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The Russian teenager twice called for medical attention to blistering on the sole of her left foot while playing American Ashley Harkleroad but the problem at the beginning of the second set only delayed her straight sets win.