Watch Australian Open 2010 Tennis Live Online Maria Kirilenko vs Maria Sharapova

Maria Kirilenko stunned Maria Sharapova in the opening round of the 2010 Australian Open, beating her fellow Russian in a three-set marathon 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-4 to move into round two and keep her hopes of capturing her first Grand Slam singles title alive.

Kirilenko was aided in large part to Sharapova’s mistakes as the former world’s number one committed 11 double-faults en route to 77 unforced errors. While Sharapova won 70% of her first serves put in play that figure dropped to 40% on second serves as Kirilenko feasted on her miscues. Kirilenko was able to break Sharapova’s serve on five of her 13 opportunities.

Kirilenko has never won a Grand Slam singles title and her best finish came at last year’s Australian Open where she reached the fourth round, losing to Daniela Hantuchová. She reached the third round at the U.S. Open on four occasions while also reaching the third round at the French Open in 2006. Her best finish at Wimbledon has been a second round appearance.