Australian Open: Maria Sharapova admits she must improve after Angelique Kerber defeat

MARIA SHARAPOVA said she wanted to test her level against the leading players.

By Mike Swann /

Maria Sharapova GETTY

Maria Sharapova insists it will take time to get back to her best

But she found the answer a rather brutal one as she took just four games off a rejuvenated Angelique Kerber in the third round of the Australian Open.

Kerber played at a very high level throughout the 6-1 6-3 victory, which lasted only 64 minutes.

Sharapova said she would not shy away from the work needed to try to get back to grand slam-winning level after her 15-month doping ban.

“There are a lot of things I need to improve on,” she said.

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    “This is a process. It’s a lot of things that take time.”

    Simona Halep said she was “almost dead” after surviving 48 games and saving three match points in a 4-6 6-4 15-13 victory over Lauren Davis.

    Angelique Kerber GETTY

    Maria Sharapova lost out on straight sets to Angelique Kerber

    Halep now faces Naomi Osaka, who Ashleigh Barty 6-4 6-2.

    Karolina Pliskova won one all-Czech battle against Lucie Safarova and faces another against Barbora Strycova. while Caroline Garcia will take on Madison Keys.