Rome: Petra Kvitova overcame eight double faults to beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia 7-5, 6-4 in her opening match at the Italian Open on Tuesday.

Kvitova struggled with the bright sunshine at the Foro Italico but still managed to dictate the second-round match with her attacking game.

Maria Sharapova also advanced to the third round after holding off a challenge from Christina McHale of the United States 7-5, 7-5, and Venus Williams eliminated Simona Halep of Romania 6-3, 6-4.

Meanwhile, Jelena Jankovic lost 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4) to Sorana Cirstea of Romania.

In men’s action on the red clay courts, sixth-seeded David Ferrer beat fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-6 (3), 10th-seeded Juan Martin del Potro downed Michael Llodra of France 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, and 14th-seeded Juan Monaco routed Romanian qualifier Adrian Ungur 6-2, 6-2. (agencies)