Los Angeles: Top-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova reached the third round of the $600,000 hardcourt tournament yesterday when ailing Eleni Daniilidou retired in the second set.

Sharapova, who won her first title of the season in San Diego on Sunday, had to battle to take the first set 7-6 (7/5) but was up 3-1 in the second when Greece's Daniilidou decided she couldn't continue. She said she was still feeling the effects of an illness that had prevented her from practicing. Jankovic, runner-up to Russian Elena Dementieva here last year, managed to shrug off the after-effects of a cold to defeat China's Peng Shuai 6-1,6-1.

Her compatriot Ana Ivanovic, the third seed, also advanced, defeating American Ashley Harkleroad of the United States 6-4,6-2. Ivanovic was playing for the first time since falling in the semi-finals at Wimbledon to eventual champion Venus Williams and booked a clash with Czech Lucie Safarova, who beat Ai Sugiyama.

In other matches, Israeli Shahar Peer's struggles continued as she fell 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (8/6) to France's Virginie Razzano. Ranked 18th in the world, Peer has failed to advance past the round of 16 in three events since Wimbledon.

Defending champion Dementieva needed just 54 minutes to dismiss American wild card Madison Brengle 6-2, 6-0. She next faces fifth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) winner over American Jill Craybas. Fourth-seeded Russian Nadia Petrova also advanced, beating American Lilia Osterloh 7-5, 6-3.