Paris: Two-time champion Maria Sharapova edged closer to a possible French Open last-16 duel with Serena Williams by seeing off Croatia's Donna Vekic 7-5, 6-4 in the second round on Thursday.
Former world number one Sharapova, seeded 28 this year, will face Czech sixth seed Karolina Pliskova for a place in the fourth round.
Old rival Serena could be a possible opponent but the three-time champion still has her second round to play Thursday against Australia's Ashleigh Barty.
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Sharapova, the champion in Paris in 2012 and 2014, is playing Roland Garros for the first time since 2015.
The 31-year-old was serving a doping ban in 2015 and was refused a wildcard by Roland Garros organisers last year.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - AFP)
