BIRMINGHAM, England - Maria Sharapova defeated American Ahsha Rolle 6-4, 6-2 Wednesday in the DFS Classic, a grass-court warmup for Wimbledon.

Russia's Maria Sharapova serves during her second round tennis match against Ahsha Rolle of the U.S.A. at the Birmingham Classic women's tennis tournament in Birmingham, England, Wednesday June 14, 2006.[AP]

Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion, completed the match on a slick surface after an 80-minute rain delay. Sharapova, who has been hampered by an ankle injury, adjusted to the surface.

"In your first match (on grass) you never know how you will be," Sharapova said. "It takes a few matches, and it was difficult to assess my performance because of the way she plays."

Rolle, who used her serve-and-volley game, double-faulted twice to help the defending champion break serve in the first set and lead 5-3 before rain halted play. After resumption, Sharapova easily closed out the first set and cruised in the second.

On Thursday, Sharapova will plays 13th-seeded Li Na of China, who defeated Eleni Daniilidou of Greece, 7-6 (9), 6-3.

Earlier, Indian teenager Sania Mirza beat Shenay Perry of the United States 7-5, 6-7, 6-3. She'll face American Meilen Tu in the third round.