27 September,2011 10:35 AM IST | | AFP
Maria Sharapova shrugged off last year's disappointing first-round exit as she got off to a confident start in beating Tamarine Tanasugarn in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo yesterday.
The Russian World No 2, who crashed to a surprise defeat to Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm last year, was in full swing as she defeated the veteran Thai 6-1, 7-5 to stride into the third round after a first-round bye.
