Maria makes a move in Rome
ROME — Maria Sharapova boosted her comeback on Monday as the former world No 1 overcame a slow start to win her opening match at the WTA Rome Open, 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 in her third event since last month’s end of a 15-month doping suspension.
“It felt slow and the conditions are quite different to Madrid,” said Sharapova, a three-time champion in the Italian capital.
“It certainly took a few more games than I would have liked to get used to, but once I did, I felt I took care of the second set quite well.”
The victory — her fifth without loss against McHale — secured Sharapova a place in Wimbeldon qualifying.
The Russian’s ranking has recovered into the 200s and a semifinal this week would put her into the main draw at the All England Club.
She came through a hiccup near the end, losing serve as she prepared to wrap it up while leading 5-1, but recovered in the next game to seal the win.
Sharapova is still waiting to hear if she will receive a wildcard entry for the French Open, which starts a week from Sunday. That news will come on Tuesday, when she is due to play her second-round match.
“I’m focused on my match, I’m playing tomorrow,” Sharapova said. “But nothing is a disappointment after being away from the game for 15 months.
“Winning matches will get me places, so if that’s where it got me today, then I will take it. The fact that I’m back and playing three weeks in a row and three events in a row for me is a big deal. That’s my focus.”
There were three breaks of serve in the first 17 minutes, as American McHale took an early 3-1 lead.
However, the experienced Sharapova pegged back her 25-year-old opponent and got to work to sweep the first set from the back foot.
Sharapova is playing Rome for the ninth time, winning the title in 2011, 2012 and two years ago — three of the 30-year-old’s 11 tour-level clay titles.
“At this point it’s week to week,” she said. “I certainly have expectations of myself because when you’ve accomplished things and when you’ve won big events and you’ve been No 1, you know that feeling.
“That feeling ultimately stays inside of you and you know how good it feels and you know what you work for.
“I would love to experience those feelings again. Of course, that is my goal.
“Every week is important, and I treat every match – you know, I might have not played my best tennis.
“But I set up an opportunity to play another match and to hopefully improve in that match, and that’s what I need.”