Eugenie Bouchard has beaten Maria Sharapova in a much anticipated and ultimately enthralling clash at the Madrid Open.

Interest in the match had grown after the Canadian had spoken out about her Russian counterpart who is returning from a 15 month drugs ban.

Bouchard had described Sharapova as a "cheater" and went on to say, "I don't think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play that sport again. It's so unfair to all the other players who do it the right way and are true.

"I think from the WTA it sends the wrong message to young kids. 'Cheat and we'll welcome you back with open arms.' I don't think that's right and [she's] definitely not someone I can say I look up to anymore. It ruined it for me a little bit."

And it was Bouchard who would come out on top in their second round match on the clay of Madrid in a contest that lasted almost three hours.

She won the first set 7-5 but Sharapova fought back to take the second set 6-2.

But in the third and final set it was Bouchard who had the edge as she triumphed 6-4 to advance to the third round where she will face Angelique Kerber of Germany.