Maria Sharapova burned by controversial new rule at Australian Open
Maria Sharapova has become the first player pinged under a new rule making its debut at the Australian Open.
The Russian star was first-up on Rod Laver Arena on Monday against Harriet Dart, making a brutal start to her campaign with a 6-0 6-0 double bagel.
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She was in fine form early, but fell foul of the chair umpire when she took too long in between points on serve.
During the fifth game of the first set, Sharapova was hit with a time violation warning after exceeding the 25-second limit before serving.
The 25-second shot clock debuted at the US Open late last year, and is making its first appearance at Melbourne Park in 2019.
The clock makes sure the players and umpires are all on the same page when it comes to the rule, but has still caused its fair share of controversy.
Sharapova could be seen questioning the chair umpire after being pinged, believing she was well within her rights to start her service motion as the time expired.
“She does take a long time and she takes a lot of time bouncing the ball,” Jelena Dokic said in commentary.
“She’s also held up Dart a couple of times when she’s returning serve which you’re not meant to do,” added John Fitzgerald.
Chasing her first grand slam title since serving a 15-month doping ban, the Russian No.30 seed needed just 63 minutes to trounce Dart.
Sharapova’s second-round opponent will be Swede Rebecca Peterson, who thumped Romanian Sorana Cristea 6-4 6-1.
“It’s been many years since I lifted the trophy here,” Sharapova said after the match.
“I love competing but I also love challenging myself because the younger players are always getting better.”
After winning three matches in qualifying last week to earn a spot in the main draw at Melbourne Park, the 22-year-old Dart was thoroughly outclassed by Sharapova, winning only 29 points across two one-sided sets.
Sabalenka in cruise control
Meanwhile, Rising Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka has lived up to her pre-tournament billing with an emphatic first-round win.
Considered by many as a title dark horse, the 11th seed thumped Russian qualifier Anna Kalinskaya 6-1 6-4 in one hour and six minutes on Monday.
Sabalenka has soared from outside the top 70 since losing to Ashleigh Barty in the opening round last year, collecting her first two career titles in a breakout 2018 season.
The 20-year-old next plays either Brit Katie Boulter or another Russian in former Open semi-finalist Ekaterina Makarova on Wednesday for a place in round three.
Other early winners on day one at Melbourne Park included Croatian seed Petra Martic, who beat Brit Heather Watson 6-1 6-2.
Monday’s order of play on main courts
ROD LAVER ARENA (from 11am)
30-Maria Sharapova (Russia) v Harriet Dart (Britain)
James Duckworth (Australia) v 2-Rafa Nadal (Spain)
Polona Hercog (Slovenia) v 2-Angelique Kerber (Germany)
Not before 5pm
Alison Van Uytvanck (Belgium) v 3-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)
Denis Istomin (Uzbekistan) v 3-Roger Federer (Switzerland)
MARGARET COURT ARENA (from 11am)
14-Julia Goerges (Germany) v Danielle Collins (U.S.)
5-Sloane Stephens (U.S.) v Taylor Townsend (U.S.)
Not before 3pm
27-Alex de Minaur (Australia) v Pedro Sousa (Portugal)
Not before 7pm
15-Ashleigh Barty (Australia) v Luksika Kumkhum (Thailand)
6-Marin Cilic (Croatia) v Bernard Tomic (Australia)
MELBOURNE ARENA (from 11am)
5-Kevin Anderson (South Africa) v Adrian Mannarino (France)
Maria Sakkari (Greece) v 22-Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia)
13-Kyle Edmund (Britain) v Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic)
Not before 6pm
22-Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain) v Andy Murray (Britain)
Not before 7pm
8-Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) v Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia)
with agencies
