Top seed Maria Sharapova survived a scare to reach the Wimbledon third round where she was joined by her biggest rival for the women's title Serena Williams on Thursday. Andy Murray also gave home fans cause for concern when dropping a set against big-serving Croat Ivo Karlovic in the second round but eased through 7-5 6-7 6-2 7-6 on a sweltering Centre Court.
World number one Sharapova, who elected to come off court in the Wednesday night gloom when leading by a set and 3-1 against dangerous grasscourter Tsvetana Pironkova, went into meltdown for a while on the resumption in sticky lunchtime heat on Court One before prevailing 7-6 6-7 6-0.
Image: Maria Sharapova of Russia plays a return to Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria during a second round women's singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, England, Thursday, June 28, 2012
Text: Reuters
Images: AP
