Maria advance at Pan Pacific

Maria Sharapova cruised past American Lisa Raymond 6-4, 6-4 Thursday to join to Martina Hingis in the Pan Pacific Open quarterfinals.



Maria, who opened her title defense after a first-round bye, will next face Samantha Stosur of Australia, who defeated sixth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova 7-6 (5), 6-2. "I had a bye and she had already played a few matches," Maria said. "I've never really played well in my first match here. She's a great player, but I broke her when I needed to and that helped."