Sharapova clears first hurdle - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Sharapova clears first hurdle

Second-seed Maria Sharapova had to battle before finally securing her place in the second round of the French Open on Wednesday.

The Russian was given a thorough examination by Frenchwoman Emilie Toit, but eventually triumphed 6-3 7-6 (7/4) on the Philippe Chatrier court in a match that lasted almost two hours.

Sharapova has been nursing a shoulder injury in the run-up to the tournament, but that did not seem to trouble her as she set up a second-round match-up with American Jill Craybas.

Third-seed Svetlana Kuznetsova had an easier time of it, cruising past fellow Russian Ekaterina Bychkova 6-0 6-3.

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic, seeded seven, trounced Sofia Arvidsson 6-2 6-0, while there were also easy wins for 15th-seed Shahar Peer, ninth-seed Anna Chakvetadze and 17th-seed Katarina Srebotnik early on the fourth day.

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
Gala night for the Queen of arts - stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute

Happy & glorious

Stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute to Queen
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Thais go Gaga: singer’s ‘fake rolex’ tweet sparks new tour row... but fans still mob her at airport

Thais go Gaga

Singer mobbed at airport
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon
Chelsea Champions League celebrations - in pictures

Victory parade

Chelsea Champions League celebrations
High-flying heroes

High flying heroes

David Oyelowo reveals all about new film Red Tails
The Twitter Diaries: Think Bridget Jones tries social networking

The Twitter Diaries

Think Bridget Jones tries social networking