Maria Sharapova was unceremoniously bounced in the opening round of the 2010 Australian Open, losing to fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena. The match last 3:22 and was the second longest women’s match ever at the Australian Open. Only the 1996 quarterfinal match where Chanda Rubin defeated Arantxa Sanczhez Vicario 6-4, 2-6, 16-14 in 3:33 lasted longer
The former world No. 1 was the subject of much hype entering the tournament, including being the feature of a significant USA Today feature story last week and as the pick to win the event from three members of the Tennis.com editorial staff. Nike also announced last week that they signed her to an eight-year, $70 million deal, the largest endorsement deal for a female athlete in history,
The match, played between the pair of 22 year-old Russians who have both posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, was played under a closed roof at Rod Laver Arena as rain in Melbourne kept for the roof to be closed at the start of the match and for the duration.
Sharapova hit 55 winners, but registered 77 unforced errors in the match.