Sharapova wins 1st-round match at ASB Classic

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP)—Former No. 1 Maria Sharapova overcame a last-minute change of opponent, beating Alberta Brianti of Italy 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the second round of the ASB Classic on Monday.

Sharapova was due to play Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro in her first round match, but the late withdrawal of fifth-seeded Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia led to a reshuffle of the draw.

Suarez Navarro became the tournament’s eighth seed and Sharapova played her first match of 2011 against Brianti, who entered the main draw as a lucky loser after being beaten in the last round of qualifying.

Sharapova took 90 minutes to down Brianti and said she was unfazed by the late change.