Maria Sharapova races through to French Open third round

Defending champion Maria Sharapova has eased into the third round of the French Open with a straight-sets triumph over fellow Russia Vitalia Diatchenko.

Both players dropped serve at the start of the opening set before Sharapova showed her clay-court expertise to come through 6-3.

The five-time Grand Slam champion then turned on the style in the second, breaking world number 91 Diatchenko twice on her way to winning 6-3 6-1.

Waiting for Sharapova in the next round will be 26th seed and former US Open champion Sam Stosur.