Sharapova breezes into China Open quarterfinals

BEIJING (AP) - Maria Sharapova breezed into the China Open quarterfinals Thursday with her third straight-set win this week.

The No.2-ranked Sharapova defeated Slovenian qualifier Polona Hercog 6-0, 6-2 to advance to a quarterfinal against either Angelique Kerber of Germany or former No. 1-ranked Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.

Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka was playing Elena Vesnina of Russia in a later third-round match, and seventh-seeded Li Na was due to face Peng Shuai in an all-China night match.

In men's singles, Mikhail Youzhny of Russia dismissed South Africa's Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3.