Sharapova crashes out of Australian Open
Published:Monday | January 18, 2010 | 6:08 PM
Rafael Nadal started the defence of his Australian Open title with a 7-6, 6-1 6-4 win over Peter Luczak in the opening night match on Rod Laver Arena.
The Spanish world number two struggled early on and trailed the Australian 5-3 in the first set, but he fought back to reach the second round in Melbourne.
In other men’s matches, seventh seed Andy Roddick beat Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, while US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro had a tougher time as he beat American Michael Russell 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
In the women’s draw, Maria Sharapova was sent crashing out at the first hurdle today, losing 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 to fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko.
The 2008 champion, seeded 14th, made 77 unforced errors and served 11 double faults as the world number 58 won in three hours and 20 minutes.
Justine Henin beat Kirsten Flipkens 6-4, 6-3 in her first Grand Slam match since coming out of retirement.
Henin, who won the Australian Open in 2004, will face fifth seed Elena Dementieva in the second round after the Russian crushed her compatriot Vera Dushevina 6-2, 6-1.
Second seed Dinara Safina, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Kim Clijsters also won.