Maria Sharapova Wins Comeback Match at Brisbane International Tourney, Will Face Australian Ashleigh Barty in Second Round

Maria Sharapova showed no rust in her comeback game as she scored an impressive straight-set victory in dominating fashion in the first round of the Brisbane International on Monday.

Sharapova, who is coming off a four-month layoff due to a shoulder injury she sustained in August, defeated Caroline Garcia of France, 6-3, 6-0, to the delight of the crowd inside the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane.

The Russian tennis star showed that she is a force to reckon with in the Brisbane tourney, displaying determination especially when going after hard-to-chase balls and tremendous intensity with her triple fist pumps even when she was already far ahead in the match.

"It's been four months so it was a big step for me. It was a big step to come and a big step to play out there tonight," Sharapova told the Associated Press via ESPN. "These matches are what I came here for. No matter the opponent or the situation, you know, they're really priceless for me at this point, and extremely important."

Sharapova, who is playing in the event as part of her preparation for the Australian Open, added that she was not bothered by her previous injury, saying she felt no pain on her shoulder that she injured during the Wimbledon in August. And her performance speaks for itself.

The four-time major winner and the third-seeded player in the tournament hit 26 winners and tallied six aces with only one double-fault and 10 unforced errors.

With the emphatic win, Sharapova breezed through the second round. The fourth-ranked Russian will go up against 17-year-old Australian qualifier Ashleigh Barty. Sharapova admitted that she knows little about her second-round opponent.

"I think always when you're coming up and making the transition from the juniors to the pros, not many players know about your game," Sharapova told NDTV. "I've only seen a few points here and there. I don't think I've watched a full set or match of hers. It's very rare to play new opponents because we play so many matches during the year."

Barty is coming off a huge 6-3, 7-5 upset win over former world No. 5 Daniela Hantuchova in the first round.