Maria Sharapova eases past Sloane Stephens in Rome

Defending champion Maria Sharapova has eased into the quarter-finals of the Rome Masters thanks to a straight-sets victory over Sloane Stephens.

The two players exchanged breaks at the start of the opening set before the Russian world number two seized control to take it 6-2.

The four-time Grand Slam champion was utterly dominant in the second as she brushed aside her American opponent 6-1.

Up next for Sharapova is a quarter-final encounter with Italian world number six Sara Errani.