Four-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova and fifth seed Grigor Dimitrov have both successfully navigated their first-round Brisbane International 2014 matches.
Sharapova eased into the second round with a straight-sets win over France’s Caroline Garcia on Monday night. The match was Sharapova’s first on the WTA Tour since October.
“I think I was just really determined to get back on the court. It’s been a while. I think the whole team was really ready to go out. I knew I was going to play Monday night a little bit ago already, so I got goosebumps when I heard because I was really looking forward to that day even a week ago,” said Sharapova.
“But, you know, it’s those days that you work for. It’s been four months I believe now. It was a big step for me. It was a big step to come and a big step to play out there tonight.”
The world No.4 took just 63 minutes to defeat 74th-ranked Garcia 6-3 6-0 at Pat Rafter Arena in a confident display.
The 26-year-old Russian laid down a marker to tournament rivals Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams with the victory, which included a 25-minute second set and 26 winners.
Sharapova, playing in Brisbane for the first time after pulling out before last year’s tournament with a shoulder injury, will now play Queensland teenager Ashleigh Barty in the second round after the 17-year-old beat Slovakian veteran Daniela Hantuchova earlier in the day.
“She [Barty] is another future star and someone that I’ve seen grow up from the juniors and now onto the tour.
“She’s already played a few matches, four, I believe, here. For me, it’s my second match. I think for both of us it’s just really, in different ways, a great opportunity for me to go out there and play another match against a tough opponent, also a tougher crowd as well, which is understandable. It’ll be fun.”
Dimitrov ensured he wouldn’t be packing his bags early with a solid 6-2 6-3 victory over Robin Haase.
“Very nice first match, so to speak, for the new year. It’s a great feeling definitely coming back here. It’s always a nice event to start the year with,” said Dimitrov.
“I was happy the way I was serving on the important occasions in every game. I thought I moved quite well on the court, so a that helped ease up on some points and eventually bring me to good opportunities.”
“I’m feeling quite comfortable on the court. Yeah, looking forward to the next round, and hopefully I do good.”
The win sets up a tantalising second-round encounter with former world No.9 Marin Cilic who overcame Denis Istomin earlier today in three sets.
“Marin is a very dangerous player, and he’s definitely capable of doing a lot of damage.
“So I just got to be ready and got to make sure that I’m going to have a good service game, and obviously try to, you know, cover a lot of court. He has a decent serve as well.
“It’s going to be an interesting match. Of course I’m looking forward to it.”
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