Tennis: Second seed Sharapova rallies past Peer

MIAMI: Russian second seed Maria Sharapova advanced to the third round of the $9.6 million WTA and ATP Miami hardcourt tournament on Thursday by rallying to defeat Israel's Shahar Peer 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Sharapova smacked six aces and connected on 69 percent of her first serves to win in two hours and 24 minutes. She denied Peer on 10-of-13 break-point chances while taking half the 10 she earned for herself.

Three-time Grand Slam singles champion Sharapova will next face the winner of a later match between American Sloane Stephens and Italy's Sara Errani.

World No. 2 Sharapova lost to top seed and World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the Indian Wells final last Sunday in her most recent prior match. (AFP)