The Russian will next play 20-year-old American Sloane Stephens, who reached the fourth round for the second successive season with a three-set victory over New Zealand's Marina Erakovic.

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Serena had endured a coughing fit and made contorversial accusations of cheating after her three-set victory over Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez on Saturday, but this was a 53-minute stroll.

CNN: Serena ups the ante in French Open stroll

And Golubev, ranked 150th, was broken three more times in the second set as Murray sealed victory in 58 minutes.

BBC: Unstoppable Murray retains title

The 27-year-old proved to be more than an able deputy as her burst of three wickets in her opening three overs set England on their way to an historic victory.

BBC: World Cup joy for England women

Sharapova finally steadied herself, however, and broke Mattek for a third time in the final set to seal victory in two hours and three minutes.

BBC: SPORT | Tennis | Williams sisters beaten in Paris

The three-set 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory also assures Serena of keeping the world number one spot ahead of Russian Dinara Safina.

CNN: Serena beats Venus to reach Miami final

Nadal, who was only troubled in beating Roger Federer's conqueror Ernests Gulbis of Latvia in a three-set semifinal, made no mistake in wrapping up a timely victory as he prepares for the second grand slam of the season in Paris.

CNN: King of clay Nadal claims record-equaling Masters title

The world number three then twice broke his opponent's serve in the second set for an ultimately comfortable victory.

BBC: Nadal crashes to defeat in Madrid

After a trickier second set, the Scot broke on a further three occasions in the third for a straight-sets victory.

BBC: Great Britain close in on Davis Cup victory

Derbyshire closed day three on 136-1, with first innings centurion Madsen well set on 55, needing another 272 to reach their victory target of 408.

BBC: Wayne Madsen may hold key in Derbyshire run chase