Maria Sharapova through to Australian Open quarters with a fine win over Peng Shuai

Maria Sharapova celebrates her win over Peng Shuai in the fourth round

Melbourne, Jan 25 (IANS)

Second-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova cruised into the Australian Open quarter-finals after beating China's 21st seed Peng Shuai in straight sets here Sunday. The 2008 Australian Open winner crushed Peng 6-3, 6-0 to set up a clash against Canada's No.7 seed Eugenie Bouchard.

Bouchard, who regrouped to beat Irina-Camelia Begu earlier in the day, became the first player to reach the quarterfinals.

Sharapova has beaten Bouchard in all three of their previous meetings, their most famous match being Sharapova's come-from-behind 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 victory in the semifinals of the French Open last year.