Sharapova rallies from poor start to get past Kutuzova in 1st round at Wimbledon

Sharapova gets past Kutuzova at Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON, England — Maria Sharapova has overcome a poor start to beat Viktoriya Kutuzova in the first round at Wimbledon.

Sharapova rallied from two breaks down in the first set before winning 7-5, 6-4 on Monday.

The former top-ranked Russian trailed 4-1 and 5-3 in the first set before winning the last four games.

Both players struggled to hold serve in the second. Sharapova broke Kutuzova for a 5-3 lead to serve for the match, but was broken at love. The 2004 champion then broke again, converting her first match point when Kutuzova netted a backhand.