Maria Sharapova eases into US Open last-16 with quick win over Jelena Ostapenko
Russian won 6-3 6-2 leaving her undefeated in night games at Flushing Meadows
MARIA SHARAPOVA smashed Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 6-2 to continue her perfect record under floodlights at Flushing Meadows.
The Russian has now won 22 of 22 matches at the US Open when she's played in the evening.
Sharapova, who will play Aryana Sabelenka after she upset Petra Kvitova, says she loves playing in front of the big New York crowd.
"It's the energy you get, no doubt I feed off this energy," said Sharapova, who used that inspiration to carry her to victory at the 2006 US Open.
"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.
"But I really turned that around. I think I thrive on that.
"I love the atmosphere. I love that they know how to cheer hard.
"I thrive on playing under the lights for some reason. I love that."
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Sharapova was helped by a sloppy Ostapenko, the runaway leader in double faults at the tournament, who had 41 errors to go along with six double faults.
"I was making so many unforced errors," Ostapenko admitted.
"With that level, it was tough to beat Maria."