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ITALIAN OPEN: Sharapova wins first round, secures Wimbledon qualifying spot

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ITALIAN OPEN: Sharapova wins first round, secures Wimbledon qualifying spot

In a first-round clash with Christina McHale, Maria Sharapova won 6-4 6-2 to advance to the second round of the Italian Open on Monday.

The win also secured her a place in Wimbledon qualifying – at the very least – with a first-round win over Christina McHale at the Italian Open.

The 30-year-old Russian is ranked 211 in the world and was given a wildcard in Rome as she continues her return from a 15-month drug ban.

Read Also: Nadal to become world no. 4 after Madrid Open victory

Sharapova will move inside the top 200 thanks to Monday’s victory, and will earn a Wimbledon qualifying place next month. But she will qualify for the main draw if she reaches the Rome semi-finals.

The five-time Grand Slam champion reached the semi-finals on her return to action in Stuttgart last month, but lost to Eugenie Bouchard in the second round of Madrid Open last week.

Sharapova will play Croatian 16th seed Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in round two, with world number one Angelique Kerber a potential third-round opponent.

 

 

 

 

 

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