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Djokovic survives scare, Sharapova advances

June 29, 2012 21:08 IST

Novak Djokovic survived the shock of losing the first set to beat Czech Radek Stepanek 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 and reach the Wimbledon fourth round in London, on Friday.

With the All England Club still abuzz following Rafa Nadal's shock loss to Lukas Rosol on Thursday, top seed Djokovic was broken out of the blue by Stepanek in the 10th game to drop the first set.

The world number one from Serbia quickly recovered, however, breaking 28th seed Stepanek in the first game of the second set and he never looked back, sealing victory on his first match point with a clinical crosscourt backhand winner after two hours 50 minutes.

The defending champion will play his fellow Serbian Viktor Troicki in the last 16.

Sharapova splutters into last 16

World number one Maria Sharapova continued to splutter but still beat Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei 6-1, 6-4 to reach the Wimbledon fourth round.

The top seed eased through the first set with few problems but Hsieh improved in the second as Sharapova made several unforced errors and struggled with her serve.

The Russian wasted two match points but she made no mistake on the third when Hsieh sent a backhand wide.

Sharapova will play German Sabine Lisicki, the 15th seed, in the last 16.

Source: REUTERS
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