Sharapova battles past Kutuzova
WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July
Coverage: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC HD, Red Button, website streaming (UK only) and text commentary, 5 Live, 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC iPlayer
Russia's Maria Sharapova fought hard to see off Viktoriya Kutuzova 7-5 6-4 in a lively first-round match at Wimbledon.
The 2004 champion, still regaining her best form following shoulder surgery, trailed 4-1 and 5-3 in the opener, but hit back strongly to take the set.
Ukraine's 20-year-old Kutuzova broke back immediately, only to see the 24th seed recover and edge ahead 4-2.
As the grunting increased, Kutuzova, ranked 79, won two service breaks but Sharapova broke back to secure victory.
It was a brave and impressive showing from 22-year-old Sharapova on Court One, who has only recently returned to action after a nine-month absence with a shoulder injury.
"It's wonderful after not playing tennis for so long. It's unbelievable and I'm so glad I pulled it out against such a strong opponent," Sharapova told BBC Sport.
 | 606: DEBATE Can Sharapova rule Wimbledon again five years after winning it? |
"Kutuzova's a very aggressive player and played very freely. I was just trying to hold on there and told myself 'it wasn't over until it's over'."
Kutuzova started the match in dominant fashion and raced to a 4-1 lead in the opening set.
However, the increasingly lively Sharapova finally found her range with her powerful ground strokes and recovered to take the first set 7-5.
The Ukrainian strangely wasted opportunities to challenge two calls that TV replays showed may have gone her way, but to Kutuzova's credit, she continued to go for her shots and was rewarded with a break of serve at the start of the second set.
Sharapova broke back immediately and soon found herself with a two-game breathing space at 4-2.
Again, Kutuzov refused to lie down and grabbed another service break when Sharapova was serving for the match but the Russian was not to be denied as she soon completed victory and was waving emotionally to her adoring fans.
Regarding the medical status on her shoulder, Sharapova added: "It's really good. This is my fourth tournament back and my body has responded really well."
Elsewhere, Indian Sania Mirza came through a three-set encounter to beat Germany's Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-2 2-6 6-2, while eighth seed Victoria Azarenka took the first set 6-2, before France's Severine Bremond Beltrame retired hurt.
China's Jie Zheng, 16th seed, survived two tie-breaks to beat Germany's Kristina Barrois 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-4).
