Wimbledon: Sharapova in third round

Wimbledon: Sharapova in third round

The third-seeded Russian had too much power and consistency for the 76th-ranked American, who had reached the second round for only the first time in four attempts.

Sharapova, her shriek-like grunts carrying beyond the Court 2 stands, took control by winning 14 of 16 points at one stretch in the first set. She finished with 27 winners and 12 unforced errors. Harkleroad, mostly on the defensive, had four winners and seven errors, the AP reports.

Sharapova saved a break point and needed five match points before she closed out the contest when Harkleroad sent a backhand wide.

Defending champion and three-time winner Venus Williams was up later against Lisa Raymond, with top-seeded Amelie Mauresmo facing Samantha Stosur.