2010: Struggles with form
After playing two exhibition tournaments in Asia, Sharapova officially began her season at the
Australian Open, where she was upset in her first-round match against Maria Kirilenko.
The loss meant
that for the first time since 2003, Sharapova had lost her opening match at a Grand Slam event.
She then rebounded by winning a smaller American event, the Cellular South Cup, her 21st career WTA title
and first of the year.
At the BNP Paribas Open, Sharapova lost in the third round to Zheng Jie, aggravating a bruised bone
on her right elbow in the process, which resulted in her eventual withdrawal from the Sony Ericsson Open
and the Family Circle Cup.
Returning at the 2010 Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open, Sharapova lost in the first round to Lucie Šafářová.
She continued her French Open preparation at the Internationaux de Strasbourg as a wildcard, advancing to
the final, where she beat Kristina Barrois.
This was her first title on red clay and 22nd overall title.
At the French Open, Sharapova's brief clay season culminated with a third-round loss to four-time champion
Justine Henin.
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