Sharapova Advances at Pan Pacific

Maria Sharapova outlasted Italy's Francesca Schiavone 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Pan Pacific Open.

Sharapova, playing in her first match since losing to Serena Williams in the Australian Open final, struggled with her serve. She finished with 17 double-faults.

"I always find it tough to get into a rhythm in my first match here," said Sharapova. "It took longer than I wanted but I'm happy to get the win."

The world's No. 1 women's player turned her game around after a courtside lecture from coach Michael Joyce during the break between the second and third sets.

"It all goes back to your serve," Joyce told Sharapova. "You've just got to get it together and find a way to win."

Sharapova said the chat with Joyce helped her to refocus.

"He just told me to keep fighting," said Sharapova. "I didn't play my best tennis in the second set or the first for that matter and he just told me to fight for every point."

Sharapova will face Japan's Ai Sugiyama on Friday. Sugiyama rallied to beat Russia's Maria Kirilenko 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.

In their only previous meeting, Sharapova beat Sugiyama in the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2004.