Sharapova feeling 'more comfortable'

Sacha Pisani

Sharapova feeling 'more comfortable' image

MORE: Gallery: Australian Open - Day 1Kyrgios and Kokkinakis: Special K Street Fighters


Maria Sharapova said she is in much better shape than she was last year after overpowering Petra Martic in the Australian Open first round on Monday.

Sharapova - bidding for her second title in Melbourne - stormed into round two with a 6-4 6-1 rout of her Croatian opponent.

The world number two needed just over two hours on court to earn a meeting with fellow Russian Alexandra Panova.

Sharapova's win continued her good form Down Under, having opened her Australian campaign with victory at the Brisbane International almost a fortnight ago.

Her lead-in form is in stark contrast to last year, which consisted of shoulder problems and a semi-final loss to rival Serena Williams in Brisbane.

But the five-time grand-slam winner is fit and firing as she seeks to dethrone Williams as the top-ranked player in women's tennis.

"I think I'm in a much more comfortable situation than I was last year," Sharapova said after her victory over Martic.

"My goal last year at this time was just to play as many matches as I could to get a good feeling to see where my shoulder was, where I was physically, you know, how I would cope with playing a lot of matches.

"It was definitely great to get a title in last week. I played a few different matches. I don't think I've done that in my career, winning a title to begin the year. That was nice.

"When you come here everything is new and fresh. Of course, it's a nice feeling to have that victory, but you have to start from scratch."

Sacha Pisani