Doha, Qatar (Sports Network) - Former world No. 1 stars Serena Williams and
Maria Sharapova highlighted Tuesday's winners at the $2.369 million Qatar
Open.
The second-seeded U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion Williams flattened Russian
lucky-loser Daria Gavrilova 6-2, 6-1, while the third-seeded two-time Qatar
Open titlist Sharapova improved to a perfect 10-0 lifetime in Doha with a
6-3, 6-2 handling of French qualifier Caroline Garcia in second-round action
on the hardcourts at Khalifa International Tennis Complex.
Both Williams and the French Open champion Sharapova received opening-round
byes this week.
A second-round upset came when surging German Mona Barthel whipped fifth-
seeded fellow countrywoman Angelique Kerber 6-1, 6-2. Barthel titled in Paris
two weeks ago, was a finalist in Hobart last month, and headed to Doha
ranked 32nd in the world.
The opening round wrapped up with 16 matches on Tuesday.
In first-round matches involving seeds, No. 9 Marion Bartoli beat former
French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 7-6 (7-5), 6-3; No. 11 Nadia Petrova
erased Czech Andrea Hlavackova 6-2, 6-3; qualifier Ekaterina Bychkova toppled
No. 12 fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko 3-0, retired; No. 15 Italian Roberta
Vinci dismissed Belgian Yanina Wickmayer 6-2, 2-1, retired; No. 16 American
Sloane Stephens drubbed Georgian Anna Tatishvili 6-2, 6-2; and No. 17 Czech
Lucie Safarova cruised past Greek Eleni Daniilidou 6-2, 6-3. Petrova captured
the Qatar Open in 2006.
Meanwhile, Czech Klara Zakopalova was leading Varvara Lepchenko 7-6 (10-8),3-0
when the American retired on Day 2.
Several other women reached the second round, including Slovakian veteran
Daniela Hantuchova, Romanian Monica Niculescu and American Christina McHale,
who topped Russian qualifier Vera Dushevina 6-1, 6-2. Niculescu took down
former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 6-1.
On Wednesday, current world No. 1 and reigning Australian Open and Doha
champ Victoria Azarenka will meet Swiss Romina Oprandi and fourth-seeded
Wimbledon runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska will battle Aussie qualifier Anastasia
Rodionova in some more second-round action.
Azarenka beat former U.S. Open champion Sam Stosur in last year's Doha finale.
The 2013 Qatar Open winner will claim $426,000.
The Sports Network