Tennis: Maria Sharapova advances to the third round of the US Open

Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova, back in a Grand Slam after 18 months of absence, qualified for the third round of the US Open on Wednesday by defeating Hungarian player Timea Babos 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-1.

Sharapova, ranked 146th in the world, received a wildcard invitation for the tournament and has already won two matches, including her debut victory against Romanian player Simona Halep, ranked number two in the WTA.

The 2006 US Open champion, Sharapova reduced the number of unforced errors and performed well with her service to reach the third round for the tenth time in the last Grand Slam of the year.