Sharapova cruises into quarter-finals

Maria Sharapova stormed past Spain’s Nuria Llagostera Vives in straight sets 6-2 6-3 to progress to the quarter-finals of the French Open at Roland Garros.

The 18-year-old Russian had few problems winning the match, which had started on Sunday but was interrupted by the rain when she was leading 6-3 3-3.

Winner of Wimbledon in 2004, Sharapova is not well known for her record on clay but she insists she is gradually mastering the red surface ahead of her last eight encounter with Henin-Hardenne.

“I don’t think I need to prove anything to anyone about my level on clay but I am certainly getting better and better,” said Sharapova.

“If people underestimate me on clay then they’ll be surprised.”

Regarding her quarter-final clash, she added: “Hopefully I will just go out and be even tougher and play better than I have in my last two matches, that will be the only way to go.”

Serbia & Montenegro’s Ana Ivanovic, the 29th seed who ousted world number three Amelie Mauresmo in the third round, defeated 22nd seed Francesca Schiavone from Italy 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 to book her place in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.

She will face Russian seventh seed Nadia Petrova.