Istanbul, Turkey, 27 October 2012 | AP

Maria Sharapova swept past Sam Stosur 6-0 6-3 at the WTA Championships on Friday to remain undefeated in round robin play.

Sharapova has already joined Serena Williams in qualifying for the semifinals of the elite, eight-women event – both going through with perfect three-from-three records in the round-robin phase.

The Russian rolled through the first set, allowing Stosur only five points.

The Australian, who was an alternate replacing defending champion Petra Kvitova who withdrew because of illness. put up more of a fight in the second set, but Sharapova ended it with a smash.

The Russian won the French Open this year and briefly held the No.1 ranking.

It was Stosur’s last match for the 2012 season. Her next event will be at the Brisbane International in 2013.