Sharapova advance at $2 million Rogers Cup

TORONTO, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Russian Maria Sharapova advanced out of the first round Monday at the $2 million Rogers Cup in Toronto.

Sharapova defeated countrywoman Nadia Petrova, the 10th-seed, 6-3, 6-4. It was the third time this season that Sharapova has beaten Petrova.

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland defeated Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3, 6-3.

In upsets, Italian Francesca Schiavone beat Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 and Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine beat Marion Bartoli of France 6-4, 6-3.

Australian Samantha Stosur held off Canadian Heidi El Tabakh 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-4), to move into a match against French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai beat countrywoman Alize Cornet 6-4, 7-5 and next plays top-ranked Dinara Safina.

Safina beat Dominika Cibulkova in last year's Rogers Cup finale in Montreal. Safina was last week's Cincinnati runner-up.

This week's field also features Wimbledon, Australian Open and U.S. Open champion Serena Williams.