Sharapova breezes through

Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova demolished fellow Russian Tatiana Panova 6-1 6-1 to advance to the quarter-finals of the China Open on Wednesday. Third seeded Wimbledon Sharapova served up five aces in the 49-minute match in Beijing after receiving a first-round bye.

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Image credit: TNT Sports

Meanwhile, sixth-seeded Gisela Dulko of Argentina eliminated Maria Vento-Kabchi of Venezuela 6-4 6-4.

Williams, the tournament's top seed, is scheduled to face Russian Dinara Safina -- sister of men's champion Marat Safin -- later on Wednesday.