Sharapova shines again under the lights as she knocks out world number 10; Karolina Pliskova also through to last 16
Tuesday 4 September 2018 14:18, UK
Five-time major champion Maria Sharapova moved into the last 16 of the US Open after a straight-sets win over world number 10 Jelena Ostapenko.
Sharapova, who won the 2006 title at Flushing Meadows, won 6-3 6-3 on Saturday to extend her unbeaten US Open run of night matches.
The Russian has won all 22 of her contests under the lights, which include three so far during this tournament.
"I don't remember how old I was when I played my first night match, but I'm sure I was young enough to still be intimidated by the city and the lights and the atmosphere, the noise, as anyone that's quite young would be," Sharapova said.
"I thrive on playing under the lights for some reason. I love that. I love that challenge."
Ostapenko hit 41 unforced errors and only 10 winners allowing Sharapova, ranked 22nd, to enter the last 16 of the competition.
The 2017 French Open champion's exit coupled with defeat for two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova means just three of the top 10 women's seeds made it into the fourth round.
Fifth seed Kvitova was knocked out by Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 6-1 as the 20-year-old from Belarus underlined her rise to prominence with a powerful display from the back of the court, winning 49 points from the baseline compared to 27 from the Czech.
Sabalenka, who warmed up for the final major of the year by winning her first career title at New Haven, will next meet Japan's Naomi Osaka for a place in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, eighth seed Karolina Pliskova is also through to the last 16 after winning 6-1 7-6 (7-2) over American teenager Sofia Kenin.
She will face Australian No 1 Ashleigh Barty in the next round.
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Tennis is back on Sky Sports screens with the Laver Cup in September while we will also have coverage of the ATP Finals in November with every match live on Sky Sports. But first, we will be across the final major of the year in New York as the US Open right through to the final with live blogs, reports, features and reaction.