Maria Sharapova is relishing a potential meeting against 2016 champion Angelique Kerber in the third round of the Australian Open following her 6-1, 7-6 (4) victory over 14th-seeded Anastasija Sevastova on Thursday.

Sharapova, unseeded in Melbourne as she continues to build back her ranking following her doping suspension, overcame sweltering conditions that neared 40°C and an opponent that ended her US Open campaign in the fourth round last year.

The Russian ex-world No. 1 fired 30 winners and won 82 per cent of the points on her first serve in a tough 80-minute victory.

She faces two-time Grand Slam champion Kerber in the third round, after the German eased past Donna Vekic 6-4, 6-1.

“I came in with no ranking. I’m around 50 in the world at this point, so I know I’m going to be facing seeded players, first, second, third round. She just happens to be the next one that’s in the draw that I have to play,” said Sharapova when asked if she felt it was too early in the draw to face someone of Kerber’s calibre.

“As I said before, I look forward to these matches. I want to be playing against opponents that have former Grand Slam champions. She’s had success here. She’s had success playing out here in these conditions on these courts. I want to see where I am on that level.”

Sharapova, appearing at the Australian Open this year for the first time since she failed a drugs test at the tournament in 2016, celebrated her second round success against Sevastova with so much passion and fire and the 30-year-old admits she missed competing at the event last season.

“I was watching this tournament with a box of Kleenex next to me sick. So, you know, I feel like I transported myself into the TV this year and I’m finding myself on Rod Laver Arena competing. A lot of things to smile about,” explained Sharapova, a champion in Melbourne in 2008.

“I wanted to be here. I got myself here. Yeah, it’s great to be back.

She added: “I had really tough matches against her. Despite winning our last match, I faced two match points and barely got through that one, 7-6 in the third.

“It’s a warm day. I did my job in two sets against someone that’s been troubling in the past for me. So third round of the Australian Open, I don’t know, I think I deserve to smile out there after that victory.”