Melbourne, Jan 18 (DPA) Maria Sharapova became the first major casualty on a stormy opening day at the Australian Open Monday, with the 2008 champion playing for the first time since her title and losing to Maria Kirilenko 7-6, (7-4), 3-6, 6-4.
The first-round battle between two Russian friends lasted well over two hours under the closed roof of the Rod Laver arena as rain forced a delay to the start of play on outside courts.
Other matches did get underway only to be interrupted again in early afternoon by more weather and chilly unseasonable 20 Celsius temperatures.
Sharapova missed the open last year as she recovered from shoulder surgery and had come into the event confident.
rounak