World number two Maria Sharapova showed no signs of having recuperated from a right collarbone injury that forced her to withdraw in Brisbane International two weeks ago during the first round of 2013 Australian Open on Monday. The four-time Grand Slam champion defeated fellow Russian Olga Puchkova in just 55 minutes with a commanding 6-0, 6-0 scoreline.
“After a couple of close games and a few break points early on I certainly started to concentrate a bit better,” Sharapova said.
“I didn’t want to focus on the fact I hadn’t played a lot of matches, I just wanted to focus on what was ahead of me and really concentrate on being aggressive. I had never played her before, but it was one of those matches where I just wanted to think about what I had to do,” she added.
When asked about her lack of preparation going into the Australian Open, Sharapova said that her experience in the courts has made it possible for her to make adjustments against her opponents.
“To me, I’d rather be going onto the court knowing I’m healthy. Yes, I might be a little bit rusty, but I’ll work my way through it. I’m experienced enough to know the adjustments I have to make in those types of circumstances. I went to Brisbane. I certainly would have loved to step on the court and play those matches, but it just didn’t work out this time.”
Sharapova could potentially meet 25th-seed Venus Williams in the third round.
