Maria Sharapova through to Madrid semi-finals

Maria Sharapova is through to the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters after a comfortable triumph over Kaia Kanepi.

The Russian had too much power for the world number 51 and she eased into the last four with a 6-2 6-4 win.

The world number two dropped just seven points on her serve during a one-sided first set, also breaking twice to seal an early advantage.

Kanepi posed more of a threat in the second set, taking Sharapova to 3-3, but the Russian struck in the seventh game to move two service games away from victory.

The Estonian player managed to force Sharapova to serve for the match at 5-4, which she did in confident fashion to move through to the next round.