Sharapova fires warning shot

Maria Sharapova launched her Australian Open campaign
in emphatic fashion as she crushed Petra Martic in straight
sets.
The second seed can regain the coveted world No 1
ranking from arch-rival Serena Williams if she wins a
second title at Melbourne Park and was all business as she
downed Martic 6-4 6-1.
Sharapova said she was benefitting from a strong lead-in
to the season-opening Grand Slam, when she won the
Brisbane International.
"I made a few too many unforced errors but overall I'm glad
I got through," she said. "She was a tough opponent and
was really inspired.
"She can play. She's got some big weapons, I knew I had
to be really strong from the beginning."
On a day when eight of the women's seeds were
eliminated, including fifth-ranked Ana Ivanovic, Sharapova
said she went into her night match on centre court wary of
world No 184 Martic.
"There were quite a few upsets today. Of course I was very
well aware of that. I certainly didn't want to be one of
them," she said.
The Russian added that she was feeling "fresh" after
overcoming a nagging shoulder injury last year and
winning the French Open.
There were promising signs her hot run of form in Brisbane
was continuing at Melbourne Park as she fired down two
early aces and won around 90 per cent of points on her
first serve in the opening exchanges.
Sharapova broke Martic in the fifth game and then again in
the seventh, threatening to run away with the match until
mistakes at crucial points, including two double faults late
in the first set, allowed the Croat to hang on.
Sharapova, the Australian Open champion in 2008, had the
chance to serve out the first set at 5-2 but Martic rallied
and it finally ended 6-4 in the Russian's favour.
The world No 2's intensity and volume increased as the
match progressed and she decisively seized the
momentum in the second game of the second set when
Martic fended off two break points but succumbed to a
third.
Martic never recovered and the rest of the match was a
one-sided affair as Sharapova snuffed out her opponent's
resistance, relentlessly exploiting her popgun second
serve.
Sharapova will face compatriot Alexandra Panova in the
second round.
Courtesy: skysports news
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