Maria Sharapova has said that she is "really happy" to have booked her place in the third round of the Australian Open.

The 26-year-old Russian got the better of Karin Knapp 6-3 4-6 10-8 in the second round on Thursday.

"I'm really happy to get through," she told reporters. "I really am. I worked really hard in the last few months and I wanted this match. I didn't play my best tennis; I didn't do many things well. I got through it, and sometimes that's what's important.

"I was up a set and a break and I had many opportunities to finish the match faster. So I would have loved for it to finish faster, but that's what I got and I have to deal with the circumstances.

"I'm all right with that. I'm a competitor here, and I worked hard to get through that match. I will have to work just as hard to get through the next ones."

Sharapova will take on France's Alize Cornet in the third round of the tournament.