KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) — Maria Sharapova overcame 11 double-faults Monday to beat Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 7-6 (3) and become the first quarterfinalist at the Sony Ericsson Open.
Sharapova, seeded No. 2, played for more than two hours in 85-degree sunshine. She won despite committing 52 unforced errors and losing her serve four times.
Sharapova seeks her first Key Biscayne title after losing in the final three times.
On the men’s side, No. 8-seeded Mardy Fish assured he’ll remain the top-ranked American by beating No. 28 Kevin Anderson in the third round, 6-4, 6-3.
