Wimbledon: Sharapova, Wawrinka, Wozniacki advance to Round 2

French Open champion Maria Sharapova started her bid to win a second Wimbledon title with a ruthless 6-1, 6-0 demolition of British wild card Samantha Murray

London: French Open champion Maria Sharapova started her bid to win a second Wimbledon title with a ruthless 6-1, 6-0 demolition of British wild card Samantha Murray yesterday.

Sharapova serves to Samantha Murray yesterday. Pic/AFP.

Russian fifth seed Sharapova breezed past World No 247 Murray in just 58 minutes on Court One to secure a second round tie against Swiss qualifier Timea Bacsinszky. Australian Open winner Stan Wawrinka reached the second round as defending women’s champion Marion Bartoli made a tearful return to Centre Court.

Wawrinka, the World No 3 fired 18 aces and 39 winners in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win over Portugal's Joao Sousa. In other match World No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, the 16th seeded Dane, beat Israel’s Shahar Peer 6-3, 6-0.

Serena cruises
Meanwhile, top seed Serena Williams took the express route into the Wimbledon second round with a 6-1, 6-2 thrashing of fellow American Anna Tatishvili.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!