SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Maria Sharapova and top-ranked Simona Halep opened the 2018 season with victory as they scored straight-set wins at the Shenzhen Open on Monday.

Sharapova eased to a 6-3, 6-0 win over Mihaela Buzarnescu with a powerful forehand winner, while Halep advanced into the next round after a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Nicole Gibbs.

"It's my first victory this year as No. 1 in the world, so I'm just happy and enjoying the time," said Halep, who will play China's Duan Yingying in the next round.

Sharapova suffered from a slow start but recovered quickly to dominate her match.

"It's always nice to start off the year with a victory. Overall I thought, besides a few breaks in the beginning, I really stepped up and finished the match off well," Sharapova said.

Sharapova will play 2017 Shenzhen finalist Alison Riske in the next round.