Sharapova eases into Shenzhen semi-finals

Russian former world number one Maria Sharapova marched into the semi-finals of the Shenzhen Open on Thursday with a comfortable 6-3, 6-3 victory over Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan.

Maria #Sharapova keeps going in Shenzhen. Books a semi-finals spot dominating Zarina Diyas 6-3 6-3 pic.twitter.com/CivZaXLpcq

— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) January 4, 2018

Sharapova, who has worked her way up to 59 in the world rankings since her return from a doping ban last year, will face either of the Czech pair Kristyna Pliskova or Katerina Siniakova in the last four in southern China.

‘Lot of things to improve on’: Sharapova after easing into Shenzhen semishttps://t.co/qhD5vTYW7f pic.twitter.com/kC34raa7X5

— The Field (@thefield_in) January 4, 2018

The 30-year-old Sharapova, who is unseeded in the tournament that serves as a build-up to the Australian Open, is embarking on her first full season since returning from a 15-month drugs ban in April. The five-time Grand Slam winner was never really in trouble against Diyas, who is 66 in the world, and joins Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu in the Shenzhen semis.

First practice in Shenzhen.... Hey #SharaFamilyChina ???? pic.twitter.com/dYZDwWVylL

— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) December 29, 2017