A verbal volley from her coach after a shaky second set gave Maria Sharapova the impetus needed to win a tough opening match at the Toray Pan Pacific Open.
Top seed Sharapova began her quest for a second title in Tokyo with a 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 victory over Francesca Schiavone on Thursday, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Ai Sugiyama.
After a disastrous second set, Sharapova called for her coach, as the rules for on-court coaching at the tournament allow, and Michael Joyce didn't mince his words during a testy exchange caught by television as he told the sulking world No. 1 to "find a way to win."