Ash Barty defeats Maria Sharapova to reach third round of Cincinnati Open

World No.2 Ash Barty has defeated Maria Sharapova for the second time this year as the Australian continues her US Open preparation — and received a nice comparison from the Russian in the process.

Ash Barty defeated Maria Sharapova in straight sets.

Top seed Ash Barty has “sliced and diced” her way past Maria Sharapova in straight sets to advance to the third round of the Cincinnati Open.

The world No.2, who had suffered a slump since her early exit from Wimbledon last month, comfortably outsmarted the former Cincinnati champion, winning 6-4 6-1 in one hour and 27 minutes on Wednesday.

It was Barty’s 40th win of the season, with her win-loss record 40-7, leaving her second only to Dutch ace Kiki Bertens (41-16).

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Sharapova says the Australian’s tricky arsenal reminds her of Belgian great Justine Henin.

“Not an easy match and really not an easy match-up for me. I think she does a lot of things well. She’s a tricky opponent,” she said.

“If I had played against her best game like when I was just coming up, like a Henin or someone that sliced and diced and had a lot of variety, it was very tough for me.”

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Ash Barty defeated Maria Sharapova in straight sets.

Barty will next face Anett Kontaveit after the Estonian beat Pole Iga Swiatek 6-4 7-6 (7-2).

The Australian, keen to avoid a second consecutive opening defeat after her loss to Sofia Kenin in Montreal last week, kicked off proceedings by taking a 1-0 lead.

But Sharapova saved two break points before Barty’s errors allowed her to level at 1-1, before surging to a 3-1 lead.

The French Open champion then brought the Russian to the net before smashing a backhand across the court to make it 3-2.

Sharapova’s errors levelled it at 3-3, with Barty then following a sublime backhand slice with a forehand winner to make it 4-3.

Sharapova levelled again but Barty served it out to lead 5-4 before the Russian put the ball over the baseline to hand her the first set.

Barty was too good for Sharapova.

Barty raced to a 3-0 lead in the second, but Sharapova pulled one back before over-hitting a return to put the Australian up 4-1.

The world No.2’s drop shot brought Sharapova to the net, before she exquisitely lobbed the ball back inside the Russian’s baseline to make it 5-1. The 23-year-old then served it out for the win.

Fellow Australian Alex de Minaur also glided into the third round with a 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 win over home hope Reilly Opelka.

The world No. 38 beat the American wildcard in just one hour and 34 minutes make the third round of an ATP Masters tournament for the second time.

De Minaur will next face Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, who stunned compatriot and close friend Kei Nishikori 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 in baseline dual that lasted one hour and 40 minutes.

Alex de Minaur is also through to the third round in Cincinnati.

Nishikori became the seventh seeded man to lose or withdraw during the first two rounds.

“It was a tough match for me,” the Japanese star said afterwards. “I think he played good tennis. Served well … good to see he’s getting stronger, growing up.”

Nishioka’s win comes just after his 7-5 5-7 6-4 win over Australian Jordan Thompson in the second round, meaning the in-form world No. 77 may prove a tough opponent for de Minaur.

Meanwhile, Thanasi Kokkinakis will play at the US Open after being granted a wildcard by Tennis Australia.

The 23-year-old Australian was the junior runner-up at Flushing Meadows in 2013. His professional career has been sidetracked by a series of injuries and he is currently ranked 212th.

The US Tennis Association and Tennis Australia have a reciprocal agreement whereby each federation gets to award wildcard entries to the other’s Grand Slam tournament.