Beijing: Top two seeds Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova, both bidding for their first title here, eased into the last eight in straight-set victories at the China Open on Thursday.
Belarus’ World No.1 Azarenka defeated qualifier Elena Vesnina of Russia 6-3, 6-3 to set up a quarter-final clash with Switzerland’s Romina Oprandi, while Sharapova cruised past World No.90 Polona Hercog of Slovenia 6-0, 6-2 in just one hour and a half.
Sharapova, who survived an early-exit scare with a hard-fought 7-5, 7-5 opening victory over Simona Halep of Romania, enjoyed a much easier encounter against Hercog as she was broken only once.
“I had a long first round, even though it was two sets, but today and yesterday were definitely a little bit quicker,” said Sharapova.
She will face 5th seed Angelique Kerber of Germany in the next round. (IANS)