SHENZHEN: Five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova, making her Shenzhen debut, despatched Romania´s world number 56 Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-3, 6-0 in an hour and 20 minutes.
The Russian, who is embarking on her first full season since returning from a 15-month doping ban in April, sealed her straight sets win after striking 18 winners to 20 unforced errors.
"It´s quite remarkable to see a full stadium for a first round," she said. "It´s my first time here, so I didn´t know what to expect."
Sharapova will play American Alison Riske in the second round.
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