Sharapova opens with a 6-0, 6-0 win in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Maria Sharapova got the Australian Open started with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over fellow Russian Olga Puchkova in the first match on center court Monday.

Sharapova showed no signs of problems with the right collarbone injury which forced her out of a lead up tournament two weeks ago.

The No. 2-ranked Sharapova, who lost the final to Victoria Azarenka here last year before going on to win the French Open, needed only 55 minutes to beat Puchkova.

She faced only two break points in the match - saving both in the first game. Then she went on a 12-game roll that earned her a second "double bagel'' inside a year.

Sharapova has a potential third-round match against Venus Williams, who opened her tournament with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan.