Sharapova returns to winning ways in Beijing

mariasharapova

The Russian star has struggled to maintain her best form since winning the French Open in June, and suffered a shock defeat to qualifier Timea Bacsinszky in the third round of last week's Wuhan Open.

Sharapova got off to a bad start at the WTA Premier event on Sunday.

The 27-year-old went down an early break, but bounced back to win three games in a row and open up a 4-2 lead.

Kanepi instantly broke back to bring the set back on serve, but Sharapova successfully cashed in a set point on her opponent's delivery at the first time of asking.

The fourth seed survived three break points in the opening game of the second set, before establishing a 3-0 lead, and a dominant display booked her place in the second round with relative ease.

Sharapova will now face Elina Svitolina, who received a bye after reaching the semi-finals in Wuhan.

Italy's Sara Errani was the biggest casualty on the second day of action in Beijing - losing 6-3 3-6 4-6 to world number 36 Kurumi Nara of Japan.

Second seed Simona Halep cruised into round two with a 6-1 6-4 victory over Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova, while Angelique Kerber required longer to see off Casey Dellacqua 6-1 3-6 6-3.

Ekaterina Makarova had to come from behind to triumph 6-7 (8-10) 6-4 6-4 against Garbine Muguruza, and Andrea Petkovic had to turn in a similar display to get the better of Monica Niculescu 2-6 7-6 (10-8) 6-4.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Samantha Stosur, Roberta Vinci, Venus Williams and Polona Hercog against Francesca Schiavone, Yaroslava Shvedova, Heather Watson and Karolina Pliskova respectively.

In the day's final clash, Daniela Hantuchova retired hurt at 6-2 1-1 down against Svetlana Kuznetsova.

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