Maria Sharapova survived two match points before recording a three-set victory over Alexandra Panova in the Australian Open second round.
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The second seed was taken to the brink by her Russian compatriot before eventually prevailing 6-1 4-6 7-5 on the Rod Laver Arena.
There are 148 places separating Sharapova and Panova in the WTA rankings and during the first set, the superior ability of Sharapova was on show as she broke serve three times as well as dropping just two points behind her own delivery.
However, Panova, who was making her first appearance in the second round of a Grand Slam, upset the odds at the start of the second by breaking Sharapova's serve before holding on for a 3-1 lead.
Despite maintaining a two-game advantage, Panova struggled towards the finish line of the second set but after holding her nerve in two tension-filled games, she levelled the match at one set apiece.
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Sharapova remained the favourite until losing her serve in the first game of the third, and the 2008 champion edged nearer a shock exit when Panova broke for a second time to lead 4-1.
The five-time major winner pulled one break back but at 5-3, Panova served for a place in the third round only to see two match points saved by her opponent.
That survival revitalised Sharapova, who proceed to register three successive games to avoid what would have been one of the biggest shocks in the history of the tournament.
Darren Plant
