Maria Sharapova snatches quarter-final place in Madrid Open

Maria Sharapova has seen off Sabine Lisicki to reach a place in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open courtesy of a 6-2 7-5 victory.

The Russian pro started off strongly in the early exchanges of the opening set by nabbing an early break to take control of the encounter.

While Lisicki tried to impose her own game on the court, Sharapova's powerful serve and swift forehand shots were too much for the German, who was forced to relinquish the lead.

Sharapova slumped slightly in the second set as Lisicki began to find her rhythm by holding serve, but she struggled to snatch a break point during the first four games.

After taking the set to 5-5, the pair battled it out to snatch the next game on Lisicki's serve, but Sharapova's experience proved vital and she clinched the break and served for the match.