Maria Sharapova will contest for a place in the quarter-finals of the Rome Masters after defeating Garbine Muguruza 6-2 6-2 in the second round of the competition.

It was a comfortable start for the second seed as she nabbed an early break of serve and managed to hold with powerful serves and quick feet on the clay surface.

After wrapping up the first set, the Russian pro continued to dominate as Muguruza's shots across the court failed to trouble her opponent.

While her Spanish competitor tried to force through a break and keep herself in contention, it wasn't to be, as Sharapova drew on her experience to wrap up the match.