• Wimbledon, Day Five

Sharapova and Clijsters stroll into last 16

ESPN staff
June 29, 2012

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Maria Sharapova survived a battle with her serve as she held off Hsieh Su-Wei to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon.

The world No. 1 rallied from a break down in the second set to claim a 6-1 6-4 victory to remain on course for a second title at the All England Club.

Having strolled through the opening set, Sharapova struggled as the wind picked up on Court One, and made five double faults as her service frailties resurfaced. However, the Russian recovered to wrap up the victory to set up a last-16 clash with Sabine Lisicki, in a rematch of last year's semi-final.

The German survived a second set wobble to progress to the fourth round with a 7-6(5) 1-6 6-2 victory over Sloane Stephens.

Kim Clijsters' final Wimbledon appearance continued to gather pace as she progressed to the fourth round courtesy of Vera Zvonareva's retirement. Clijsters had won the first set 6-3, but the Russian, who struggled with her breathing, offered her hand shortly after calling for the doctor.

Next up for Clijsters is eighth seed Angelique Kerber, who eased past American Chrisina McHale 6-2 6-3.

Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi continued her impressive run at Wimbledon as she stunned Russian Nadia Petrova 6-3 7-6(6), while Maria Kirilenko moved ominously into the fourth round with a 6-3 6-1 win over Sorana Cirstea.

Kirilenko will face Peng Shuai in the last 16 after the No. 30 seed easily dispatched Sam Stosur's conqueror Arantxa Rus 6-1 6-2 in 47 minutes.

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