Sharapova enters quarters

Tianjin (China), Oct. 12: Maria Sharapova surged into the Tianjin Open quarterfinals on Thursday as she pursues her first tournament victory since her return from a doping ban.

The Russian former world number one defeated Magda Linette of Poland in straight sets with the scoreline displayed 7-5, 6-3 and will next play either Swiss qualifier Stefanie Voegele or fifth seed Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan.

The 30-year-old Sharapova has been on the comeback trail since April after serving a 15month suspension for taking the banned substance meldonium.

Sharapova, a five-time major-winner, is now ranked a lowly 86 in the world and she needed a wildcard entry to enter the ongoing Tianjin tournament.

She saw off 71st-ranked Linette in just over 98 minutes to reach only her second quarterfinal since her return to action.