Shenzhen, Jan 1: Maria Sharapova and top-ranked Simo Halep opened the 2018 season on a victorious note scoring straight-set wins at the Shenzhen Open on Monday. Russian ace Sharapova eased to a 6-3, 6-0 win over Mihaela Buzarnescu of Romania with a powerful forehand winner, while Romanian Halep advanced into the next round after a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Nicole Gibbs of the US, reports Xinhua news agency.