Russia’s Maria Sharapova plays a return to compatriot Olga Puchkova in their women’s singles match on the first day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 14, 2013. AFP PHOTO/GREG WOOD
MELBOURNE – World number two Maria Sharapova powered into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday, crushing hapless fellow Russian Olga Puchkova in straight sets.
Sharapova, the champion in 2008 and runner-up last year, eased through 6-0, 6-0 in just 55 minutes and will next play either Croat Petra Martic or Misaki Doi of Japan.
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