Thursday 28 May 2015 10:51, UK
Defending champion Maria Sharapova advanced to the third round of the French Open with a one-sided win over Vitalia Diatchenko.
Sharapova, the No 2 seed, easily overcame her compatriot, closing out a 6-3 6-1 victory to secure a clash with Samantha Stosur.
Sharapova has reached three consecutive finals at Roland Garros and the defending champion looked in impressive form, hitting five aces and 24 winners during the contest.
The Russian, who has been struggling with a cold, opted to wear a long-sleeved top despite the warm temperatures in the French capital, and made an early slip-up.
After breaking serve in the first game, the world No 2 surrendered her advantage, with a double fault allowing Diatchenko a break back to 2-2.
But Diatchenko then coughed up two double faults in the next game as Sharapova snatched a further break, and she secured the first set after yet another double fault from her Fed Cup team-mate.
Sensing her opponent’s frailty, Sharapova powered through the second set to pave the way for a meeting with Stosur, the 2010 Roland Garros runner-up, but who lost to Sharapova in three sets in last year's round of 16.
"She is always a tough opponent," Sharapova said.
"She enjoys playing on clay and benefits a lot from this surface. It will be a tough match but I have a pretty good record against her.
"I enjoy our matches. I hope I can continue that."
Sharapova added: "She has a very heavy ball, and I think on clay specifically it just really penetrates through the court.
"She has one of the best kick serves in the game and she slices a lot. There are a lot of untraditional things that she does, but I enjoy that challenge."
She has one of the best kick serves in the game and she slices a lot. There are a lot of untraditional things that she does, but I enjoy that challenge.
Stosur thrashed French wildcard Amandine Hesse 6-0 6-1 and admits she will have to raise her game to beat the world No 2.
"Maria is always a big challenge for me. No matter what surface it's on, I don't have a very good record at all," Stosur said.
"Obviously we played last year. That's the last time we played against each other so it's always a big challenge, and I've got to be ready to have to play as well, if not better than what I have been doing."
