Sharapova sets up Errani quarterfinal

Miami, March 26 (IANS/RIA Novosti)

Maria Sharapova of Russia plays a match against Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic during day eight of the Sony Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 25, 2013 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Maria Sharapova blew away Klara Zakopalova Tuesday to set up a Miami Masters quarter-final with Italy’s Sara Errani.

The Russian star quickly disposed of 21st seed Zakopalova 6-2, 6-2 at the $5.2 million event in Key Biscayne, Florida.

“I thought I did a much better job today at being aggressive and playing a bit more consistently than in the previous match. The conditions today were a little bit easier as well. I’m really happy to be through to the quarter-finals of this tournament again,” Sharapova said in comments carried by the WTA website.

There, Sharapova will seek her fourth win in four encounters over Errani, who earned the match-up with a 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 comeback win over Ana Ivanovic.

“Sara’s probably one of the most consistent players on the tour and she’s getting really far in tournaments all the time,” Sharapova said. Errani was Sharapova’s quarter-final victim en route to the Indian Wells title last week.

In the other quarter-finals, World No.1 Serena Williams plays China’s Li Na, Agnieszka Radwanska faces Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens and Roberta Vinci is up against Jelena Jankovic.

The Miami Masters is a WTA Premier Mandatory tournament played on hard courts.