Images from Day 5
Both were blonde, both Russian, both poised and both pony-tailed but one was Maria Sharapova and, true to form, she cruised into the Australian Open fourth round on Friday.
Australian Open 2008: Complete Coverage
Identikit opponent Elena Vesnina but up a spirited battle but in the end the former Wimbledon and US Open champion had too much power and too much nous for her compatriot.
Fifty ranking places separate world number five Sharapova and Vesnina but the gulf in class was gaping.
Vesnina held on in the opening set before folding in the second, slumping 6-3, 6-0.
It was little surprise. Both players play a very similar style -- they were taught by the same coach as schoolgirls -- only Sharapova does everything that bit better.
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