BIRMINGHAM, England (AP)—Maria Sharapova’s first-round match with Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States was postponed by rain again Wednesday at the Aegon Classic.
But unlike Tuesday, there was 25 minutes of play before the rains struck with Sharapova leading 4-0 in the first set.
The winner will play Alla Kudryavtseva, who beat American Vania King 6-1, 6-2.
Sharapova served well, using a fuller arm action again after a slew of double-faults last year following shoulder surgery. During the match, Mattek-Sands received six minutes of treatment on a thigh.
While shorter tarp covers failed to prevent rain from encroaching onto the playing area on center court, players on the outside courts finished their matches. Magdalena Rybarikova, Sesil Karatantcheva, Anna Chakvetadze and Sara Errani advanced to the third round.
Rybarikova defeated Ekaterina Makarova 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (5), and Karatantcheva stopped Yaroslava Shedova 6-4, 6-4. Chakvetadze eliminated Andrea Petkovic 6-4, 6-4, and Errani needed three sets to beat American Shenay Perry 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.
In other matches, Elena Baltacha retired after losing the first set to Kaia Kinepi, citing “heat stroke.” Karolina Sprem edged Kristina Barrois 5-7, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4).