England, Jun25: French Open champion Maria Sharapova picked up right where she left off at Roland Garros, cruising into the second round at Wimbledon on Monday by beating Anastasia Rodionova of Australia 6-2, 6-3.
The top-ranked Sharapova completed a career Grand Slam by winning her first French Open this month, and is looking for her second title at the All England club after winning as a 17-year-old in 2004 and losing in the final to Petra Kvitova last year.
She had little trouble getting past Rodionova on Centre Court, breaking the Australian five times—although she was broken once in each set, including when trying to serve out the match at 5-1 in the second. She seized her next chance, however, clinching the victory with an ace.
She will likely face a tougher challenge next against 2010 semifinalist Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria, who beat Vesna Dolonc of Serbia in the first round.
