Maria Sharapova cruises into Stasbourg quarterfinals after win against qualifier

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Sharapova reaches quarters in Strasbourg

STRASBOURG, France — Top-seeded Maria Sharapova cruised into the quarterfinals of the Strasbourg International with a 6-3, 6-0 win Wednesday over qualifier Dia Evtimova.

Sharapova, given a wild-card entry after being sidelined two months with a right elbow injury, didn’t face a single break point to claim her second win on clay this year.

Sharapova lost in the first round in Madrid last week.

Sharapova will face Julia Goerges of Germany, who defeated sixth-seeded Sybille Bammer of Austria 6-1, 7-6 (6).

American Vania King, a doubles specialist who won her sole singles title in Bangkok in 2006, broke Frenchwoman Alize Cornet five times in a 6-3, 6-2 win.

King will face Anastasia Rodionova of Australia, who advanced when Elena Baltacha of Britain retired while leading 2-1 in the first set.

Three-time tournament winner Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain also advanced when Lucie Hradecka retired. Medina Garrigues was leading 6-4, 3-0 when Hradecka quit with a wrist injury.

Kristina Barrois of Germany defeated Yvonne Meusburger of Austria 7-5, 6-3.