LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Russian teenager Maria Sharapova beat Slovenia's Katarina Srebotnik, 6-3, 6-1, Monday to advance at the JP Morgan Chase Open.
It was the first match for the 16-year-old blond since she reached the fourth round at Wimbledon one month ago.
Sharapova's schedule is limited to a handful of tournaments based on a rule that attempts to protect young players from burnout and injury.
The still-growing 6-footer started the year slowly but has won eight of her last 10 matches.
Sharapova's countrywoman, Elena Likhovtseva, drubbed Japan's Akiko Morigami, 6-1, 6-1.
The top 16 seeds receive first-round byes, including Kim Clijsters, who seeks to continue her charge to the No. 1 ranking this week. The top-seeded Belgian has a chance to take the No. 1 ranking away from Serena Williams, who is out two months after undergoing knee surgery.
