Sharapova starts Australian Open with 6-0, 6-0 win
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Maria Sharapova started the Australian Open with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Olga Puchkova in the first match on center court Monday, showing no signs of problems with the right collarbone injury which forced her out of a lead-up tournament two weeks ago.
The No. 2-ranked Sharapova, who lost the final to Victoria Azarenka here last year before going on to win the French Open, needed only 55 minutes to beat fellow Russian Puchkova.
Sharapova faced only two break points in the match — saving both with aces in the first game. Then she went on a 12-game roll that earned her a second "double bagel" inside a year.
Sharapova has a potential third-round match against Venus Williams, who opened with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan.
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