(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-03-13 15:05

INDIAN WELLS, California - Qualifier Stephanie Cohen-Aloro of France crushed American Lilia Osterloh 6-1 6-2 in the Pacific Life Open first round on Wednesday to set up a meeting with fifth seed Maria Sharapova.

Cohen-Aloro, who retired from the opening round in Memphis last month because of a viral illness, sealed victory in one hour and 22 minutes at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Russian Sharapova, the 2006 champion who claimed her third grand slam title at the Australian Open in January, had a bye into the second round as a seeded player.

In an earlier match, Russia's Ekaterina Makarova swept past Meilen Tu of the United States 6-4 6-2 to book a place in the second round against compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova, the second seed.

World number two Ana Ivanovic is the top seed in the women's draw with fellow Serbian Jelena Jankovic third and Sharapova fourth. The trio will enter the fray in Friday's second round.

Sharapova is seeded to meet 2007 Pacific Life Open champion Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia in the last eight.

The men's event starts on Thursday with low-profile first round matches.

World number one and 2006 champion Roger Federer, who was upset 6-3 4-6 6-0 in the second round last year by Argentina's Guillermo Canas, plays his first match on Saturday against Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez or Argentina's Sergio Roitman.

Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who won the 2007 title with a 6-2 7-5 victory over Serb Novak Djokovic, has been seeded second with Djokovic third and Russian Nikolay Davydenko fourth.