Sharapova wins debut match in L.A.

Maria Sharapova was in no tough positions on Monday night, as the Russian demolished her opponent in straight sets, while the highest seed playing on Day 1, No. 11 seed Flavia Pennetta, went to three sets against lucky loser Varvara Lepchenko and won the last set in a bagel.

Wearing a headband for the first time, Sharapova faced Jarmila Groth, and was not put under pressure by the Slovakian, winning with a score of 60 64.

"She was swinging away all through the match and a lot of them started to go in, but she couldn't consistently do it," Sharapova said of her opponent. "Playing all of these tournaments is a great benefit for me. This is my sixth tournament back and this is going to be a process on things I want to improve and work on in my game. It has been a good ride so far."

Pennetta thwarted Lepchenko's hopes of advancing to the next round, as the Italian was in tough positions sometimes, but succeeded in winning with a score of 62 57 60.

Anna Chakvetadze broke her losing run after besting No. 11 seed Virginie Razzano, 76(5) 63.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Singles - First Round

(10) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (LL) Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 62 57 60

Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) d. (11) Virginie Razzano (FRA) 76(5) 63

Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. (15) Kaia Kanepi (EST) 63 76(4)

(Q) Jill Craybas (USA) d. (16) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 76(7) 62

Alona Bondarenko (UKR) d. Meghann Shaughnessy (USA) 36 63 63

Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. Agnes Szavay (HUN) 61 60

Peng Shuai (CHN) d. (Q) Michaella Krajicek (NED) 63 67(4) 63

Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) d. Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) 61 63

Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Nicole Vaidisova (CZE) 61 61

Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Jarmila Groth (SVK) 60 64

Shahar Peer (ISR) d. (Q) Anastasia Rodionova (RUS) 75 41 ret. (left ankle injury)

Ai Sugiyama (JPN) d. (Q) Carly Gullickson (USA) 63 61

(WC) Vania King (USA) d. Sybille Bammer (AUT) 63 62

(WC) Coco Vandeweghe (USA) d. Tathiana Garbin (ITA) 64 64