Mats Wilander
Former world number one on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Sharapova loves to compete. She forgets everything on court and just plays the opponent. It is incredible to have that mindset.

And it's not a bad view for our commentary team...

Maria Sharapova's coach Sven Groeneveld is up on his feet, clapping emphatically as his client moves to 40-0.

Sevastova, undeterred, fires a lovely forehand into the corner to get off the mark in the second set.

Sharapova isn't distracted by the random man shouting 'Marrrriiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaa' whilst she's waiting to serve. She holds with a delicate dropshot.

Jill Craybas
Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

The way she finished that last game - she was so aggressive on the return, and the commitment. She's stepped up her game. The determination in that last game was incredible from Sharapova.

Image source, Getty Images

A deep, almost labour-like grunt is coming from Sharapova now, as she's stretched all around the court by the tenacious Sevastova.

But with her game face firmly on, Sharapova brings up break point and takes it with speed and accuracy on the forehand.

Really impressive stuff, that.

Sharapova clocks her 14th winner on her way to a 30-0 lead. She rewards herself with a raised fist.

The celebration seems a bit premature as she hits the net on the next point, but then she brings out an ace down the T. Lovely job.

We then see her plant into the net again for 40-30 but she holds and edges ahead in the set with another powerful forehand into the corner.

Image source, Getty Images

Mats Wilander
Former world number one on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

I didn't realise how exceptionally soft Sevastova's hands are, she has great touch and she shows great anticipation at the net.

Jill Craybas
Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

I think you are starting to see more variety in shots in women's tennis. Exemplified by all the drops shots we are now seeing from Sharapova.

After being punished on a weak second serve, Anastasija Sevastova recovers with a brilliant forehand cross-court which lands plum on the line.

Sharapova continuously asks questions of her opponent on the next point. She's making the Latvian dance all over the place! Sevastova comes forward and gets the winner.

The 12th seed goes on to claim another decent hold.

Image source, Getty Images

Mats Wilander
Former world number one on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Roger Federer has worn three different outfits so far - which isn't normal. Something is going on in the fashion world of tennis.

Maybe they are so constrained by the rules of Wimbledon that they let loose at the US Open.

Image source, Reuters

Jill Craybas
Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

That was good patience there from Maria Sharapova. She waited for her opportunity to be aggressive on the forehand rather than rushing the point.

Image source, Getty Images

Maria Sharapova, who is head to toe in dusky pink and decorated with crystals and lace, fires up the forehand and absolutely pummels it past her opponent to hold.

She has her game face on again after that mid-set wobble.

Sevastova looks confident as she moves to 40-0. Are we heading for another love hold?

Erm, no. Sharapova powers home a backhand followed by a forehand into the corner.

But the Latvian does hold and levels the set after her opponent nets.

Image source, Getty Images

Mats Wilander
Former world number one on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

There's a lot of questions Sharapova used to have the answers to and now, maybe, she doesn't. Although, in the first three matches, especially against Halep, she answered most of the questions we had about her.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows

There is light rain in the air but not enough to halt things right now, and play continues elsewhere, with Sloane Stephens and Julia Goerges knocking up on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

It's pretty chilly but the Sharapova serving arm remains warm, which is the reason for the sleeve. "Definitely not fashion," she said earlier this week. "I'm not into the sleeves at all. It's just to keep my arms warm but not crazy about that look. Not voluntarily doing it."

Image source, Getty Images

From a double fault, to an incredibly accurate down-the-line winner. We are seeing two sides to Maria Sharapova right now.

The pair go to deuce, as Sharapova's unforced error count stacks up to 10.

And Sevastova earns break point after coming out on top in a battle at the net.

Sharapova looks on aghast as she lands a powerful forehand over the baseline. Sevastova breaks back!

Image source, Getty Images

Gigi Salmon
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentator at Flushing Meadows

You get the impression that Sevastova is not the sort of person who is going to be intimidated by Sharapova.

Mats Wilander
Former world number one on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Sharapova should play on the biggest court. She brings in the people and she's served her ban. She's probably the biggest name left in the draw.

A 19-shot rally to start the game! Zing! Sharapova messes up her finish pretty badly. It falls well wide.

Sevastova's passing shot down the line moves her to 30-0.

And she lands another superb winner at an acute angle for 40-0.

Sharapova overcooks a forehand return and the 16th seed holds to love.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent at Flushing Meadows

I think we'll see Sharapova remaining erratic throughout the fortnight. That doesn't necessarily stop her winning these matches.Her projected ranking, as things stand, is exactly 100. If she wins this match, she'll go back into the top 80 and that would end the wildcard debate for the Australian Open, you suspect.

Image source, Getty Images

After taking the advantage, Sharapova gets herself out of trouble with a booming volley into the empty hard court.

The Russian wildcard takes a healthy lead.