Italian Open: Maria Sharapova & Petra Kvitova into quarter-finals

Maria Sharapova last won the Italian Open in 2012

Russia's two-time champion Maria Sharapova eased into the Italian Open quarter-finals by defeating Bojana Jovanovski 6-3 6-3 in Rome.

Czech Petra Kvitova beat Jelena Jankovic 6-3 6-2 while Romania's Simona Halep overcame Venus Williams 6-2 6-1.

Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro played for more than three hours to beat Eugenie Bouchard 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 7-6 (9-7).

World number one Serena Williams withdrew with an elbow injury shortly before facing Christina McHale.

In other matches, there were wins for two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, Daria Gavrilova and Alexandra Dulgheru.