Companeroes romp to fluent victory

Sharapova will face either fourth seed Petra Kvitova or Germany's Angelique Kerber on Saturday for a place in the final. Meanwhile, World number one Novak Djokovic eased past France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5, 6-1 to reach the Rome Masters semi-finals on Friday.

Sharapova

The defending champion will tackle either Roger Federer or Andreas Seppi for a place in Sunday's final. Hesh-Bops in quarters Indian duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna moved into the men's doubles, beating Italians Daniele Bracciali and Andreas Seppi 6-2, 6-1 in the first round.