Maria Sharapova started her U.S. Open campaign in fantastic style, storming past Melinda Czink in straight sets 6-2, 6-2, and with it banishing the horror show at the London Olympic final against Serena Williams.
The Russian's first round victory was her first match since the punishing 6-0, 6-1 loss to Williams at the Olympics. However, Sharapova revealed there had been a reason for the poor show; she was suffering from severe stomach pain. The Russian, worried about the pain, went to the doctor for some tests, including one to see if she was pregnant. "Just because of the pain I was having, it was really weird," Sharapova said. "They told me I was fine, not pregnant. Then, I'm like, 'Can I get my money back?'"
It turned out to be a stomach virus, and the Russian admitted it had been her body's way of telling her to take some rest. So the Russian skipped all the matches leading up to the U.S. Open, but showed no rust in her opening round win.
"It was a nice break in a way, but after so many weeks of practicing, you're just eager to get back on the court," Sharapova said. "I haven't been far here, past the first week, in a long time.
"I would love to get that back. I haven't played at a level that I wanted to play here. There shouldn't be any reason why I can't, having the success that I had for a few years, winning it in '06. That's certainly something that I'm looking to get back.
The 25-year-old said she had learned to embrace New York a lot better, after initially being overwhelmed by the City and its famous Grand Slam. "When I came to New York I always thought this would be the toughest to win," she said. "Its energy is amazing, but in the beginning it's certainly overwhelming.
"But my experience has helped me a lot, because from feeling like I was very small in a very huge city with so much energy, I really embraced it over the years. I came into New York and I absolutely love it with all its craziness and the fans and the late night matches. You get used to it."
Sharapova admitted Williams was the favorite to win the final Grand Slam of the year, but was confident she could win her second U.S. Open. "Obviously of course she's the favorite because she won those two big events back-to-back," she said. "But everybody is still in the draw here. It starts from the first round on, and that's why everybody is here.
"This is the last big one. This is kind of where you have to put all your energy. Even though it's not the last tournament of the year, you feel like this is where you can put all the work and effort into this one big event.
"I mean, it's very meaningful. It's big. It's New York City. There's no reason why I shouldn't perform my best here."
