Each day during the Australian Open, Richard Pagliaro will preview three must-see men's and women's matches—and offer his predictions.
(3) Maria Sharapova vs. (25) Alize Cornet
*Head-to-head: Sharapova leads 1-0
Rod Laver Arena, first match*
Squandering a one-set, one-break lead, Sharapova fought off a determined Karin Knapp, brutal heat and dicey shotmaking (67 unforced errors) to gut out a 6-4, 4-6, 10-8 second-round victory. Cornet also went the distance in a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 decision over Camila Giorgi.
Sharapova showed resilience winning the longest match of her career, but can she recover in just her eighth match since Wimbledon? Cornet is a consistent baseliner capable of exploiting misfires — she took the opening set from Victoria Azarenka at both Roland Garros and the U.S. Open last year — but her second serve can be shaky (nine double faults in round two), she’s vulnerable to power players (1-18 lifetime vs. Top 5 players) and in 31 prior Grand Slam appearances she’s reached the fourth round only once (here in 2009).
The 2008 champion clanked 12 doubles in round two. Sharapova must clean up her serve—she hit the kick serve in Brisbane and was reluctant to use it vs. Knapp—but the candy maven's more powerful and her appetite for the fight is undeniable.
The Pick: Sharapova in two sets