New York Sep 2 (IANS) Russian tennis sensation Maria Sharapova held off a robust challenge from US teenager Sofia Kenin to continue her Grand Slam return from a doping suspension winning 7-5 6-2 to advance to the Round of 16 at the US Open in Flushing Meadows here.
Sharapova who is making her first appearance at a Grand Slam since her return in April from a 15-month ban for using banned substances made tough work of the early stages hitting as many winners as unforced errors on her way to a 7-5 first set win on Friday reports Efe.
Kenin tired in the second set allowing the Russian to open up a 3-0 lead before Sharapova sealed the second set 6-2.
Sharapova moved on to the fourth round where she will face 16th seed Latvian Anastasija Sevastova.
--IANS
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