Maria Sharapova, the 2008 Champion, got a shock of her career when she lost to fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-4, in just the first round of the tournament.

Maria Kirilenko beat Maria Sharapova

Sharapova made 76 unforced errors and struggled throughout the game against the world no. 58. In the third and final set, it seemed that the 14th seed Sharapova was on her way to victory when she lead 2-0. But Kirilenko fought back and took the set 6-4.

Last year, the 14th seed missed the tourney due to shoulder injury. 2010 could have been her comeback year but the dismal performance killed all her hopes for this tournament. It is such a bad grand slam start for the Russian beauty who lost to an equally stunning tennis beauty in Kirilenko.

Kirilenko’s confidence grew when her childhood friend made mistakes one after another. She’ll face Yvonne Meusburger of Austria in the next round.

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