Sharapova eases into last 32

Top seed Maria Sharapova cruised into the third round of the Australian Open today with a straightforward victory over Anastassia Rodionova.

US Open champion Sharapova was taken to three long sets by Camille Pin in blistering conditions on Tuesday but had no such problems against her countrywoman, romping home 6-0 6-3 in just 58 minutes to set up a meeting with 30th seed Tathiana Garbin.

The Italian earlier beat Renata Voracova of the Czech Republic 6-1 7-5.

Kim Clijsters and Martina Hingis are also through to the last 32 after comfortable victories.

Fourth seed Clijsters overcame Akiko Morigami 6-3 6-0.

The Belgian, who romped to a 6-0 6-0 victory over Vasilisa Bardina in the first round, claimed a crucial break at 4-3 in the first set before storming effortlessly through the second at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.

The 23-year-old, who has announced she will retire at the end of the season, will face Alona Bondarenko in the third round following the Russian’s 6-3 6-4 victory against Virginie Razzano.

“Overall, just looking at the statistics and looking at my opponent, I think I did everything pretty well, and I did what I had to do,” said Clijsters.

“I won in two pretty easy sets so I’m not complaining.”

Hingis, seeded sixth, eased past Alla Kudryavtseva 6-2 6-2 and will now play Aiko Nakamura, a 6-3 6-2 winner against Indian Sania Mirza.

Ninth seed Dinara Safina of Russia defeated Youlia Fedossova 6-3 6-2 and will next take on China’s Na Li, the 19th seed, who was a 6-0 6-2 winner over Spain’s Lourdes Dominguez Lino.

There were also wins for 12th seed Anna Chakvetadze, 13th seed Ana Ivanovic and 15th seed Daniela Hantuchova.