Sharapova starts with Australian Open victory
By DPA, IANSSunday, January 16, 2011
MELBOURNE - Maria Sharapova began her bid for a second Australian Open title with a second-set comeback to post an opening-day victory over Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-1, 6-3 Monday.
The three-time Grand Slam winner swept the opening set but trailed 1-3 in the second before finally claiming the win.
The Russian 14th seed, who claimed the title at Melbourne Park in 2008 but lost in the first round in 2010 after missing 2009 with injury, fired five aces and overcame 10 double-faults and 22 unforced errors in the 78-minute win.
The US-based Russian now stands 4-0 over Tanasugarn, who was broken seven times. Sharapova has never lost a set against the Thai, oldest player to win a 2010 WTA title when she did it in Osaka at age 33.
Sharapova won two of her three doubles titles with Tanasugarn (2003 Tokyo and 2003 Luxembourg).
