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Former world number one Maria Sharapova had little trouble powering into the last 16 at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo with a faultless 6-0 6-1 victory over Australia's Samantha Stosur.

But Russian Elena Dementieva became the latest high-profile casualty when the third seed was upset by Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko.

Sharapova, 25th in the world rankings following shoulder surgery a year ago, answered the prayers of tournament organisers by overpowering 12th seed Stosur in just 57 minutes.

Stosur at least avoided the dreaded "double bagel" by saving two match points at 0-5 in the second set but the Russian wrapped up a clinical victory with an ace two minutes later.

"I just want to finish the year on a good note," Sharapova said. "I served smart. It was definitely a good day at the office all around."

Dementieva, the reigning Olympic champion, was bundled out 6-2 6-7(3) 6-1 to leave the lucrative $2 million Tokyo event shorn of its top three seeds and she was quickly joined at the checkout counter by fourth seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki, who retired with a viral infection. .

World number one Dinara Safina, second seed Venus Williams and French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova were all tripped up in their opening matches on Monday after first-round byes.

A tournament which began with nine of the world's top 10 was down to just three before the close of play on Tuesday.

Dementieva blamed some questionable line calls and fatigue for her loss to a player she had not conceded a set to in four previous meetings.

"There were way too many bad calls from the chair umpire today," she said. "I'm surprised they don't have a challenge system at such a big event."

Dementieva, a second-round loser at the US Open earlier this month after a strong run on north American hardcourts in the run-up to the year's final Grand Slam added: "I played way too many matches in the US Open series.

"I would have liked to have an extra week to get refreshed for this event. I just didn't have the energy."

Sharapova next faces countrywoman Alisa Kleybanova, who knocked out sixth seed Vera Zvonareva 3-6 6-4 6-2 in another Russian clash.

Bondarenko, meanwhile, will take on China's Li Na in the third round after the 15th seed's 7-5 6-0 win over Russian Vera Dushevina.

Fourteenth seed Marion Bartoli ousted fellow Frenchwoman Aravene Rezai 6-4 6-2 to reach the last 16 where she will play Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, conqueror of Williams.

Beaten US Open finalist Wozniacki walked off court in obvious discomfort after losing the first five games of her match against Canada's Aleksandra Wozniak.

WTA Tokyo day two LIVE at 7.25am on Wednesday on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe.

Reuters