Sharapova stays cool to crush Rodionova

Top seed Maria Sharapova made up for her exhausting opening victory with a 6-0 6-3 drubbing of fellow Russian Anastassia Rodionova in the Australian Open second round on Thursday.
Sharapova, who was within two points of defeat by Frenchwoman Camille Pin in searing midday heat on Tuesday, looked much more comfortable on a cooler evening and clinched victory in 58 minutes.

The world number two said she felt fully recovered from her gruelling three-hour opener which she won 9-7 in the final set.

"I'm definitely recovered from it, I feel good physically," she told a news conference. "I played a little bit better today but still nowhere my top level and I think I can definitely get better as I play more matches here."

Sharapova said she had not done anything special to get over the Pin match during which she admitted it had been impossible to concentrate properly.


"I just rested a lot, stayed inside, drank and I wanted to finish it in two (sets) today," the 19-year-old said.

Sharapova, who stayed on course for her first Australian Open title and third grand slam, still thinks players should be protected more from the problems of playing in extreme heat.

"I think when it gets to a certain point where it's extreme heat, players should probably stop. Even if there is a 20-minute delay, I think that's why the roof's there. Heat is one of the most dangerous things for players."

Sharapova started strongly, picking off her 24-year-old opponent with trademark booming groundstrokes and putting her under constant pressure with her serve.

Rodionova, world number 100, raised her game in the second set but, struggling with a thigh injury that required treatment, she was powerless to stop Sharapova from beating her for the third time in three meetings.

"Today I felt like I could work on a few things and really see how I was playing," Sharapova said. "I'm glad I got off to a good start and I'm glad I was able to finish the match quickly."

Sharapova, who has reached the Australian Open semi-finals in the last two years, will play Italian Tathiana Garbin, the 30th seed, in the third round.