Former champion Maria Sharapova was knocked out of Wimbledon in the first round on Tuesday by world number 132 and fellow Russian Vitalia Diatchenko.<\/p>\n
It was Sharapova\u2019s first ever defeat in the opening round at the All England Club and it came as she made her return to the tournament after a three-year absence.<\/p>\n
She went down 6-7 (3\/7), 7-6 (7\/3), 6-4 having led by a set and 5-2.<\/p>\n
Diatchenko, who came through qualifying, will face Sofia Kenin of the United States for a place in the last 32.<\/p>\n
Simona Halep made a bright start at Wimbledon on Tuesday with a comprehensive 6-2 6-4 victory over Kurumi Nara on Centre Court.<\/p>\n
The French Open champion enjoyed 10 days off after her Paris triumph and she made a tentative start on the grass before eventually finding her rhythm.<\/p>\n
Halep was made to work harder than some might have expected by her Japanese opponent, Nara enjoying some brief success as she attacked the world number one.<\/p>\n
It was all too brief, though, as Halep quickly wrestled back control of proceedings, her punishing forehand proving too hot to handle at times for Nara.<\/p>\n
Halep reeled off six games in a row to begin her progression into round two, seeing off a second-set resurgence from Nara, whose overhit forehand ended the contest.<\/p>\n
Nara found herself under pressure immediately as Halep broke first up, however Nara managed to get level at 2-2 as a beautiful drop shot at the net was backed up by a forehand into the corner.<\/p>\n
However, unforced errors blighted her progress as comfortable-looking shots sailed beyond the lines, gifting Halep free points.<\/p>\n
As Halep\u2019s confidence grew her game found another gear, the Romanian\u2019s movement around the court a joy to watch for the crowds packed into SW19\u2019s show court.<\/p>\n
Having wrapped up the opening set thanks to a tired backhand from Nara, Halep stepped on the gas again and quickly established a 2-0 lead, her control from the baseline coming from more powerful forehands.<\/p>\n
A sloppy shot into the net ended Halep\u2019s run in the third game, and Nara was then unable to capitalise after forcing the Romanian to two break points at 2-1.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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