Sharapova on course to make her dream come true

Maria Sharapova withstood a second set fightback from Jelena Jankovic to emerge with a 6-0, 6-7, 6-1 victory and a place in the third round at the US Open.

The seventh-seeded Russian blitzed through the first set but Jankovic, a former junior world No1 from Serbia and Montenegro, won the second on a tie-break before Sharapova reasserted her authority to clinch victory.

The Wimbledon champion said: "I definitely think I played a little better than in my first match.

"Even though it was three sets I am very happy to win, of course. I want to win this, badly. It would be a dream come true."

Sharapova now meets France's Mary Pierce who thrashed Virginia Ruano-Pascual of Spain 6-0, 6-1.

Serena Williams marched into the third round beating fellow American Lindsay Lee-Waters 6-4, 6-3.

Venus Williams' victory - beating fellow American qualifier Shikha Uberoi 7-5, 6-1 - made history. For the first time at the tournament, four black women are in the third round.

As well as the Williams sisters, Chanda Rubin and Angela Haynes advanced to the third round.

"The best thing is that we're all American, and this tournament represents America," Venus said.

But all four will not reach the fourth round as Venus faces Rubin in the next round.