Lindsay Davenport
1999 Wimbledon champion on BBC TV

Image source, AFP

"It was disappointing for Alison Riske after she broke Maria Sharapova in the opening game but Maria won the last 11 games in a row and looked very comfortable out there on Centre Court today."

Sharapova has dropped just seven games in three matches at Wimbledon this year, the Russian starting slowly in each match, like she did at the French Open, before getting out of neutral and flicking through the gears. A quarter-final with top seed Serena Williams is very much on the card.

Sharapova makes only her second unforced error of the set at 30-0 up, and then follows it up with her third to Riske back in at 30-30. But she gathers herself to win the next and closes the match out with a tasty passing shot down the line. Eleven games in the row. Ruthless.

Image source, Wimbledon

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Stan Wawrinka's match with Denis Istomin, which was third on Court One, and Feliciano Lopez's tussle with John Isner, which was scheduled second on court three, have both been cancelled because of the rain delays.

Sharapova is so intense out there, clenching her fist and nodding her head after a good point while waiting to receive the next serve. She's worked the American out and is now going through the motions to dismantle Riske piece by piece. Another break will leave the 2004 champion serving for the match.

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The shrieking continues as Sharapova flicks through the gears, intent on winning this match without dropping another game. The Russian wins another game to 15.

Image source, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Russian world number 25, external Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who is due to play number four seeds Cara Black and Sania Mirza, with partner with Lucie Safarova: Rainy day @Wimbledon!!! Locker room look! Waiting for the doubles!

Sharapova is bossing this match now, pulling Riske from side to side until the American can run no more. You almost feel sorry for Riske, who has now lost eight games in a row, having led 3-1 in the first set.

Miles Maclagan
Former coach to Andy Murray and Laura Robson on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"Once Sharapova gets control, with her power it is very difficult for her opponent to turn things around."

It's one-way traffic out on Centre Court as Sharapova blitzes through her service game. Riske looks like she's caught in the headlights.

Where is this match being won? It's on the winners, Sharapova crunching down 15 to Riske's seven. The latest of those, hit from wide of the tramlines, is enough to break the American's side for the third time in succession.

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The Williams sisters and the Bryan brothers will have to wait until at least Monday for their respective doubles matches as they are just two of another batch of matches to get cancelled as the rain continues to fall outside Centre Court.

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The Sharapova grunting levels hits new heights, but so does her forehand. The Russian knows her opponent is on the ropes and doesn't miss an opportunity to turn the screw, clinching the game to 30 to seal the set.

The net plays into Sharapova's hands this time, the Russian's forehand clipping the net and catching Riske out to bring up break point. Another powerful baseline rally follows, before the American goes big - and it fails to pay off. Sharapova clenches her fist and shoots a look to her box.

It got a bit ropey towards the end of the game, Sharapova's serve wavering somewhat, but she powers through to take the lead for the first time in the match. Big game coming up. If the Russian breaks, this set could be over in a flash.

Sharapova is starting to carve out a few openings in this game, first at 30-30, then at deuce, as Riske's forehand starts to creak. And the perseverance pays off as she gets her first break point of the match. That one goes out the window as a forehand clips the top of the net and decides not to go over. Another comes calling after a great pick up from Sharapova and the break is hers when Riske throws in her second double-fault of the game.

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David Beckham is back in the Royal Box, as is Sachin Tendulkar, but there are very few others in there for company. They've returned in time for a match that is oozing in quality at the moment, both players going for their shots, getting great length and depth. The Sharapova grunting goes up a notch in this game - and it coincides with fewer mistakes as she holds to 30.