Maria Sharapova eased her way into the quarterfinals of the China Open on Thursday, demolishing qualifier Polona Hercog in straight sets.
Second seed Sharapova thrashed her Slovenian opponent 6-0, 6-2 to set up a quarterfinal with either fifth seed Angelique Kerber of Gemany or former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, seeded 10th.
Elsewhere, top seed and world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka book her place in the quarterfinals with a straightforward 6-3, 6-3 win over Russia’s Elena Vesnina.
Azarenka now faces Romina Orlandi of Switzerland in the quarterfinals.
In the men’s draw, Russian No. 1 Mikhail Youzhny beat South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3.
Youzhny’s quarterfinal could be an all-Russian affair if Nikolay Davydenko can beat third seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in their third round match.
The prize fund for the women’s draw is $4.8 million, with the men playing for $2.2 million.