Maria Sharapova has wasted little time under the roof on Rod Laver Arena, out-hitting world No.105 Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2 6-1 to move comfortably through to the third round on Wednesday.
While the duo had never met, the unheralded Sasnovich knew what to expect from the fifth-seeded Russian. She is coached by her Belarusian countryman, former ATP player Vladimir Voltchkov, formerly Sharapova’s hitting partner.
The insight mattered little. Sharapova was too simply too strong in all departments. She hit four aces and 22 winners and converted six of her nine break point opportunities.
“It was an opponent I’d never faced before today so that’s always tricky but happy I got through,” Sharapova said.While the duo had never met, the unheralded Sasnovich knew what to expect from the fifth-seeded Russian. She is coached by her Belarusian countryman, former ATP player Vladimir Voltchkov, formerly Sharapova’s hitting partner.
The insight mattered little. Sharapova was too simply too strong in all departments. She hit four aces and 22 winners and converted six of her nine break point opportunities.
With rain outside, it was the first match of the tournament played under the roof on Rod Laver Arena. And true to Melbourne conditions, the roof was again peeled back to reveal blue skies above at the completion of Sharapova’s one-hour, 11-minute demolition job.
“One of the toughest challenges in this tournament is the weather,” Sharapova said. “One day it’s over 40, the next day you’re in a parka.”
Sharapova awaits the winner of the match between Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova and American Lauren Davis.
Read more from Tennis
