Sorenstam has dropped only three shots in three rounds

R3 LEADERBOARD:
-15 A Sorenstam (Swe)
-8 K Webb (Aus)
-7 H Alfredsson (Swe)
-6 V Zorzi (Ita), M Eberl (Ger), S Kemp (Aus), T Johnson (GB)

Annika Sorenstam continued her serene progress to victory in the inaugural Dubai Ladies' Masters on Saturday.

The Swede carded a third-round 68 to improve her total to 15 under par and stretch her lead to seven shots.

Karrie Webb is second after a 70, and Helen Alfredsson, another Swede, is third on seven under after a 68.

Trish Johnson is the top Briton in a four-way tie for fourth on six under, while English teen Kiran Matharu is tied for 13th on two under after a 73.

Webb, the world number three, managed to get within three shots of playing partner Sorenstam after reaching the turn in 32, but the Australian hit a wedge shot through the green to drop a shot at the 10th and could not make another birdie.

Sorenstam, by contrast, recovered from a slow start at the Emirates Golf Club with six birdies, the last two coming at the 17th and 18th.

"I didn't make the best of starts," said the world number one, who opened with a bogey.

"But I then made a nice little turnaround with six birdies in 13 holes and it was nice to finish on a strong note.

"I'm not thinking I've won yet. Tomorrow is a new day and I know Karrie is capable of shooting really low scores."