Sharapova says problems with her serve are resolved after win over Sorana Cirstea in Rd 2
World No 2 Maria Sharapova made light work of her second-round match at the China Open in Beijing on Wednesday, progressing to the last 16 with ease.
The Russian No 2 seed defeated Romania’s Sorana Cirstea, ranked 29th in the WTA standings, in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. “I thought I served really well today, much better than the first round,” the winner of four Grand Slam singles titles said.
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Maria Sharapova returns to Sorana Cirstea during yesterday’s China Open tie. Pic/AFP
“She (Cirstea) is someone that likes to be aggressive, get the first shot and hit it really hard. I was happy I took her time away. It was important to try to take that away from her,” Sharapova added.
The 25-year-old will face Slovenia’s Polona Hercog, 90th in the rankings, in the third round.
Ivanovic stunned
Elsewhere, there was a shock in the last 16 when Romina Oprandi of Switzerland beat former world number one Ana Ivanovic in straight sets to progress to the quarter-finals.
Oprandi, who received a late entry after Serena Williams withdrew just two days before the start of the tournament, defeated the eleventh seed from Serbia 6-4, 6-3.
Djoko in quarters
Meanwhile in the men’s event, Novak Djokovic entered the quarter-finals with a straight sets 6-1, 6-3 win over Argentine Carlos Berlocq to extend his unbeaten record at an event he won in 2009 and 2010 and missed last year through injury.
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