Maria Sharapova is out of the Australian Open after losing to friend and fellow US-based Russian Maria Kirilenko 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-4 in a three-hour, 22-minute marathon.
Sharapova led 4-2 with points for 5-2 in the first set, and also 4-2 in the tiebreak. She came from 2-5 down to get the third set back on serve, but was broken at 5-4 to lose the contest.
"I tried to be aggressive and I tried to move her around the court," said Kirilenko. "I knew how to play against her."
Sharapova hit 45 winners but also 66 unforced errors. "It was up and down in many areas, and just finished at the down level," said the former No. 1 of her performance, also noting Kirilenko's high level of play. "Today she was able to execute things really well."
It is the first time Sharapova has lost in the first round of a major since the 2003 French Open.
" I could be disappointed or I could just take it as it is and just go back on the court and just keep working. I choose option two," she said. "I'll be back here on a Saturday of the second week, you watch."