Azarenka, Sharapova advance in Tokyo
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TOKYO (AP)
Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka eased into the third round of the Pan Pacific Open with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Austria's Tamira Paszek on Tuesday.
Two-time champion Maria Sharapova had a tougher time subduing British qualifier Heather Watson 6-7 (7), 6-3, 6-4, while 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, the fourth-seeded player, was upset by Petra Martic of Croatia 6-4, 6-4.
Other winners included Grand Slam champions Li Na and Sam Stosur, former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska.
Azarenka played her first match since losing in the U.S. Open final to Serena Williams.
''This was my first match after a little break and that's never easy,'' she said. ''But I was able to play some good tennis and I enjoyed it.''
Next up will be Roberta Vinci of Italy, who beat qualifier Pauline Parmentier of France 6-3, 6-1.
Watson pushed Sharapova to three sets in their last match at the 2011 U.S. Open, and did it again by winning a marathon tiebreaker in the first set.
''I was facing someone who had gone through the qualis and already played so I was definitely the rustier of the two,'' said Sharapova, who had 14 double-faults. ''Overall, it was just one of those matches where you are glad to be through.''
The second-seeded Sharapova, who won in Tokyo in 2005 and 2009, took control of the third set when she broke Watson's serve for 4-3. She sealed the win when Watson sent a forehand return long.
Sharapova's next opponent, Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic, moved on when compatriot Klara Zakopalova was unable to play because of a left wrist injury.
''She's a tough player,'' Sharapova said. ''She had a break today with the walkover while I played three hours but hopefully that won't be a factor.''
Kvitova said she had trouble establishing her game against the hard-hitting Martic, who was playing her second tournament since recovering from a foot injury at the French Open. This was the biggest win of her career.
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FOXSports.com serves up the latest from the tennis world:''Petra has really improved her forehand,'' Kvitova said. ''She hits it very hard down the line and crosscourt and in addition to her serve has a good slice which can be tough for players to handle.''
Li defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia 7-5, 4-6, 6-2, and Stosur overcame Francesca Schiavone 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.
Wozniacki beat Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova 7-6 (3), 6-1, while the third-seeded Radwanska defeated Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-2, 7-5.
Also advancing were Angelique Kerber of Germany, Sara Errani of Italy, Marion Bartoli of France and Nadia Petrova of Russia.
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