Sharapova reaches 2nd round at Strasbourg

Strasbourg: Top-seeded Maria Sharapova has advanced to the second round of the Strasbourg International with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 win over fellow Russian Regina Kulikova.

After losing in the first round at Madrid last week, Sharapova needed 2 hours, 14 minutes on Monday to claim her first victory on clay this season.

The former No. 1 player has been hampered by an injury to her right elbow this season. Against Kulikova, she converted only four of 22 break points.

Anastasia Rodionova of Australia also advanced with a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Ayumi Morita of Japan.