Sharapova soars into third round of French Open

Paris, Maria Sharapova showed marked improvement after battling an ankle injury in her first round match, easily overcoming Czech Iveta Benesova 6-4, 6-1 in a rain-hit second-round win at the French Open.

The Russian, who played her opening round Sunday at Roland Garros, was twice pulled off court by rain showers, the first lasting for more than an hour, the second 15 minutes.

Sharapova is playing for the first time in two months in Paris after her ankle problems. She had to fight in her first round, coming back to beat Mashona Washington.

The Russian teenager beat the 53rd-ranked Czech for the fifth time in the match to claim victory in 78 minutes on court.