Maria Sharapova wins opening match in Rome

TIL Desk Sports/ Maria Sharapova solidified her comeback to tennis as the former number one overcame a slow start to win her opening match at the Rome Masters, beating Christina McHale 6-4, 6-2.

The five-time Grand Slam winner went down a quick break in the first set before revving up to claim the opener while playing in her third event since last month’s end of a 15- month doping ban.

“It felt slow and the conditions are quite different to Madrid,” said the three-time Italian Open champion yesterday. “It certainly took a few more games than I would have liked to get used to. But once I did, I felt like I took care of the second set quite well.”

The former number one advanced to the second round at the sun-drenched Foro Italico as she beat McHale for a fifth time without defeat. The former No 1’a ranking has recovered into the 200s and a semi-final this week would put her into the main draw for Wimbledon.