Sharapova returns to US Open with easy victory
Sharapova
After missing last year's U.S. Open with a shoulder injury  former champion Maria Sharapova returned to the spotlight with an impressive 6-3  6-0 victory over Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria on Tuesday.
 Sharapova's game was as glittery as her black-and-silver dress and matching headwrap  an outfit she described as a tribute to New York's skyline.
 Sharapova showed no signs of the shoulder tear that forced her to have surgery in October and kept her off the tour for nearly 10 months.
 "This is a Grand Slam. You've got to get going from the first match " Sharapova said. "After being gone  this is what it's all about."
 In addition to tennis skills and grit that once placed her No. 1 in the rankings  Sharapova always has placed an emphasis on fashion. On this night  her black dress carried bold  metallic accents that would gain her entry into even the trendiest of New York clubs. She paired it with a matching  '60s-style silver headband.
 As often happens with Sharapova  the postmatch  on-court interview dealt as much with her getup as her game. "It's always 50-50: You never know when people are going to like it or not " Sharapova told the crowd.
 game. "It's always 50-50: You never know when people are going to like it or not " Sharapova told the crowd.
 The Serb had the worst showing ever by a top-seeded woman in New York last year when she exited in the second round. Ivanovic did herself one worse this time.
 At least the 2008 French Open champion had a big support group in the stands  cheering for her wildly. Safina  in contrast  would look up at her coach for positive body language  and instead  he'd cover his eyes with his hands or turn his head with a wince.
 "Well " Safina would say later  "I guess I had to think: 'What I'm doing wrong?'"
 There's been some debate this season about whether Safina deserves the top ranking  one spot ahead of Serena Williams. The Russian did not bolster her case on Tuesday.
 Nearly undone by 11 double-faults and 48 total unforced errors  Safina was a point away from a 4-0 deficit in the third set before coming back to beat Olivia Rogowska of Australia 6-7 (5)  6-2  6-4.
 Safina  younger sister of 2000 U.S. Open champion Marat Safin  is used to faring well in the early stages of Grand Slam tournaments. Usually  it's later on that problems arise: She is winless in three major finals  all lopsided losses  and she managed to win only one game against Venus Williams in the Wimbledon semifinals in July.
After missing last year's U.S. Open with a shoulder injury  [TGT] returned to the spotlight with an impressive 6-3  6-0 victory over Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria on Tuesday.
 [TGT]'s game was as glittery as her black-and-silver dress and matching headwrap  an outfit she described as a tribute to New York's skyline.
 [TGT] showed no signs of the shoulder tear that forced her to have surgery in October and kept her off the tour for nearly 10 months.
 "This is a Grand Slam. You've got to get going from the first match [TGT] said. "After being gone  this is what it's all about."
 In addition to tennis skills and grit that once placed her No. 1 in the rankings  [TGT] always has placed an emphasis on fashion. On this night  [TGT] black dress carried bold  metallic accents that would gain [TGT] entry into even the trendiest of New York clubs. [TGT] paired it with a matching  '60s-style silver headband.
 As often happens with [TGT]the postmatch  on-court interview dealt as much with [TGT] getup as [TGT] game. "It's always 50-50: You never know when people are going to like it or not [TGT] told the crowd.
 game. "It's always 50-50: You never know when people are going to like it or not [TGT] told the crowd.
 The Serb had the worst showing ever by a top-seeded woman in New York last year when [TGT] exited in the second round. [TGT] did [TGT] one worse this time.
 At least the 2008 French Open champion had a big support group in the stands  cheering for [TGT] wildly. Safina  in contrast  would look up at [TGT] coach for positive body language  and instead  he'd cover his eyes with his hands or turn his head with a wince.
 "Well " Safina would say later  "I guess I had to think: 'What I'm doing wrong?'"
 There's been some debate this season about whether Safina deserves the top ranking  one spot ahead of Serena Williams. The Russian did not bolster her case on Tuesday.
 Nearly undone by 11 double-faults and 48 total unforced errors  Safina was a point away from a 4-0 deficit in the third set before coming back to beat Olivia Rogowska of Australia 6-7 (5)  6-2  6-4.
 Safina  younger sister of 2000 U.S. Open champion Marat Safin  is used to faring well in the early stages of Grand Slam tournaments. Usually  it's later on that problems arise: She is winless in three major finals  all lopsided losses  and she managed to win only one game against Venus Williams in the Wimbledon semifinals in July.