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“I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous before the match, ... I knew she was a strong player. I wasn't myself on the court today”

Maria makes early exit from Australia

Posted on Jan 18 / 2010 / 9:15 PM

Maria Sharapova's belated return to the Australian Open ended swiftly Monday when the former world number one was knocked out just hours after the first grand slam of 2010 began.

Sharapova, making her first appearance at Melbourne Park since winning the championship two years ago, lost to fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko 7-6 3-6 6-4 on the Rod Laver Arena.

Unable to defend her title last year because of a shoulder injury, Sharapova was a shadow of the player who stormed to the 2008 title without dropping a single set, contributing to her own defeat with 66 unforced errors and 11 double faults.[*]

"It's the first tournament of the year and I just came up against somebody that just played really good tennis," Sharapova said. "I could be disappointed or I could just take it as it is and just go back on the court and just keep working. I choose option two."

Sharapova was the only major casualty on a day where everything else went according to script, except Melbourne's fickle weather.

Instead of the extreme heat that has left competitors soaked in sweat and gasping for air, the players were greeted by wind and rain when they arrived this time.

Matches on the outside courts were delayed then interrupted by showers while organizers closed the giant retractable roofs on the two main courts to ensure the feature matches went ahead.

Comments: 8 reactions


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Comment on article

Maria, I'm getting a dog! You cover all it's food, vet and bathing expenses for it's whole life, we'll call it even!

by Dolce on Jan 18 / 2010 / 9:57 PM |

Sorry to see Maria exit the tournament so early. miss her already and hope she is prepared for memphis. ready to offer advice and help as usual...

by lucky draw on Jan 20 / 2010 / 1:13 AM |

by marina davtian on Jan 20 / 2010 / 12:11 PM |

Hey Maria! Don't worry. everything can happen. but take a lesson from this loss. on your official site there were some stuff about earrings and so on. But your first main thing not to advertise other things but play tennis and hopefully make a success. I wish you speedy recovery and to be realyy ready for next GS.

by Tima on Jan 20 / 2010 / 1:00 PM |

JUST KEEP ON PLAYING.. STILL MORE YEARS TO COMPETE...GOODLUCK'

by christopher cubacob on Jan 20 / 2010 / 4:15 PM |

you were excellent in hong kong, you changed your pace in Autralia open .. but ... I trust you, know you can.only improves your backhand you're smart, dynamic and enthusiastic........you are special

by william on Jan 22 / 2010 / 1:38 AM |

U know Maria, I was very disappointed to see u lost. I had wished that u will exactly win the Slame for this first. I know u were played so well, but what u lost to ur opponent is u make many errors. You are our princess. Everyone wants to see u won the Match, so l wish for the next coming tournaments, u will do it perfectly and reduse to forget this one. Hope to see u on court again. Best wishes for u,Thanks

by Panha on Jan 22 / 2010 / 3:16 PM |

Dear Maria, So sad but its ok best of luck for next time.... I love you so much..........

by Shoaib Ahmed on Feb 01 / 2010 / 12:25 PM |



1R	Camille Pin
	6-3 4-6 9-7	beat

2R	Anastassia Rodionova
	6-0 6-3	beat

3R	Tathiana Garbin
	6-3 6-1	beat

4R	Vera Zvonareva
	7-5 6-4	beat

QF	Anna Chakvetadze
	7-6 7-5	beat

SF	Kim Clijsters
	6-4 6-2	beat

F	Serena Williams
	1-6 2-6	lost