Maria Sharapova today consolidated her challenge for a second Wimbledon title when she powered into the third round at the expense of Ioana Raluca Olaru.
The 2004 champion Sharapova crushed Olaru 6-1, 6-4 to set up a clash with either Daniela Hantuchova or Barbora Strycova.
Neither will fancy facing 16th seed Sharapova in this form. The former world No1 is still re-establishing herself after shoulder surgery early last year that saw her drop to 126th in the rankings.
Indeed, her Grand Slam form was poor coming to Wimbledon. In Australia the 23-year-old fell in the first round and only made it to the third round at Roland Garros.
But after breezing past Anastasia Pivovacova for the loss of just one game in the first round at SW19, Sharapova was again in fine form.
Having saved a break point in her opening service game with a cross-court backhand from the baseline, she then broke 21-year-old Olaru after the world No114 attempted to beat her rival with a couple of high lobs to her deadly forehand.
Olaru finally got off the mark in the fourth game but Sharapova clinched the set in just 32 minutes.
To her credit, Olaru did not go easily and forced three break points in the fourth game and spoiled Sharapova's scorecard by breaking her opponent to go 4-4.
But back came Sharapova to break Olaru's next service game and then hold her own serve for victory.
