Maria Sharapova cruises into second round of Madrid Open

Madrid: Four-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova defeated Czech Republic tennis star Klara Koukalova in straight sets 6-1, 6-2 to ease into the second round of the Madrid Open on Sunday.

According to Sport24, Sharapova looked well on course for the second round after racing through the opening set, but was then broken four times in the second as world number 27 Koukalova levelled the match.

Both women were more stable on serve in the decider as it went to a tie-break after just one break apiece and Kvitova eventually had too much to set up a meeting with American Varvara Lepchenko.

Meanwhile, 11th seed Ana Ivanovic overcame Madison Keys in straight sets 6-1, 7-6 (7/4), while another American, Sloane Stephens, beat Romanian qualifier Monica Niculescu 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 to also reach the last 32.