Tennis: Sharapova batters Vinci to reach second round

NEW YORK - Defending champion Maria Sharapova scorched into the second round of the US Open tennis championships with a 6-0 6-1 victory over Italian Roberta Vinci today.

Wearing a resplendent red dress, the Russian second seed overwhelmed the world No 51 with a barrage of winners as she sealed victory in just 50 minutes.

Sharapova was so dominant that she was able to vary her game, serving and volleying occasionally and going to the net at every opportunity.

Vinci finally got on the board at 5-1 in the second set but Sharapova held serve in the following game to set up a match against Australian Casey Dellacqua in the second round.

- REUTERS