Defending champion Maria Sharapova returned to the French Open quarterfinals by beating 17-seeded Sloane Stephens of the United States 6-4, 6-3 on Monday.
The second-seeded Sharapova handled Stephens’ strong serve well, accumulating 12 break points and converting four.
In 2012, Sharapova completed a career Grand Slam at the French Open, adding that trophy to ones from Wimbledon in 2004, the U.S. Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008.
Sharapova has won all eight sets she’s played so far this year at Roland Garros and will face No. 18 Jelena Jankovic or 54-ranked Jamie Hampton in the quarterfinals.
Stephens, a semifinalist at the Australian Open in January, lost in the French Open’s fourth round for the second year in a row. She’s 1-8 against women ranked in the top five.
