SIMONA HALEP crashed out in the second round to Croatia's Mirjana Lucic-Baroni - the same opponent she lost to at last year's US Open.

Third seed Halep, who reached the final here 12 months ago, had lost to Lucic-Baroni in the third round at Flushing Meadows, and lightning struck twice as the world No.70 claimed a shock 7-5, 6-1 victory.

It is the first time Halep has failed to go past round two in a grand slam since 2013.

Lucic-Baroni, who now faces France's Alize Cornet in the next round, struggled to contain her emotions after the victory.

"At the US Open, it was the first time in a really long time that I've had a really good result like that, so I was extremely emotional," she said.

"Now, after seeing that video a few times of my press conference, I'm trying to hold it together a little bit better but no, I don't hide my emotion.

"This is who I am and I was really so happy, so I shed a few tears today on the court, as well. I don't try to hide that."

Halep had been in the same half as second seed Maria Sharapova, who cruised past Russia's Vitalia Diatchenko 6-3, 6-1.

Sharapova has reached three consecutive French Open finals and the defending champion looked in impressive form, hitting five aces and 24 winners during the contest.

She will now play Australia's Samantha Stosur, who was the 2010 runner-up in Paris, but lost when the pair met in last year's round of 16.

"Samantha is always a tough opponent," Sharapova said.

Top seed Serena Williams and Britain's Heather Watson both play today. Watson faces America's Sloane Stephens while Williams is up against Germany's Anna-Lena Friedsam.