Maria Sharapova has progressed into the second round of the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy after a 6-0 6-4 win over Daria Gavrilova.
The five-time Grand Slam winner pleased the home fans as she won on familiar territory, setting up an all-Russian second round tie against third seed Daria Kasatkina.
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Despite winning the first set 6-0, Gavrilova had actually asked plenty of questions as it lasted 48 minutes, with an 18-minute second game that included nine deuces testing Sharapova.
She then recovered from a break down in the second to see off the Australian in one hour and 47 minutes overall at the Sibur Arena.
Meanwhile, another home star, Vera Zvonareva, got the better of her compatriot Yekaterina Makarova in the opening round and she will now face either Greek star Maria Sakkari or German Julia Goerges next.
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