Sharapova last appeared on the Kremlin Cup was in 2007.The Russians return after 10 years was all in vein as she got knocked out in the first round itself by the World number 26 Magdalena Rybarikova.Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova was beaten 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 by Slovakian
This was her eighth event since returning to the WTA Tour in April after her 15 months drug ban.In Kermlin also she was given a wildcard entry.
Its only been 48 hours since the former world number one won the Tianjin Open and the Wimbledon semifinalist Magdalena Rybarikova was her fifth match in seven days.
Sharapova was under pressure on serve from the start and saved six break points before finally being broken for 6-5. She responded by breaking Rybarikova, but Sharapova’s double fault at 4-3 in the tiebreaker handed the Slovakian the momentum to close out the set.++The second set was almost a carbon copy of the first, with Rybarikova breaking in the 10th game to take the set and the match.
“I fought hard today as I really wanted to show my best in Moscow after a 10-year break,” the Russian said.”If it hadn’t been the Kremlin Cup I probably wouldn’t have come to play in any other event after playing five matches in five days in China.Physically I felt I was well but it seems that it wasn’t enough to win today.”she added
Sharapova is ranked 57 ,Kremlin cup was her first tournament appearance since her title in china.
