Sharapova downs Razzano

Melbourne - Former Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova dug herself out of trouble to reach the Australian Open's third round with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 win over France's Virginie Razzano on Wednesday.

Sharapova, the 2008 winner and the 14th seed, was 0-3 and three break points down in the first set against 100th-ranked Razzano before holding serve and breaking back, and prevailing in the eventual tie-break.

Two early breaks put her in control in the second set and although Razzano pulled one back, another break in the eighth game gave the Russian a 5-3 lead.

Sharapova had to stave off six break points in the ninth game of the set before finally closing out the win on her third match point.

The glamorous Russian blonde, on the comeback trail after long-term injury problems, will face Germany's 32nd-ranked Julia Goerges in the third round.