Sharapova easily through to 3rd round of Qatar Open; Bartoli also advances

DOHA, Qatar – Maria Sharapova easily reached the third round of the Qatar Open on Tuesday, dispatching French qualifier Caroline Garcia 6-3, 6-2.

The third-ranked Russian, who won the tournament in her two previous appearances, broke Garcia twice to go up 3-0 in the first set. Garcia won the next two games but Sharapova then broke for a third time. The second set was on serve through the first five games until Sharapova broke for a 4-2 lead. She clinched the victory when the Frenchwoman hit a forehand long.

Sharapova was joined in the third round by 11th-ranked Marion Bartoli, who downed former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 7-6 (5), 6-3.