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Erratic Sharapova seals first clay win of 2010

The victory was Maria Sharapova's first on clay in 2010 © Getty Images

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Maria Sharapova produced a tumultous performance in her 6-3 3-6 6-1 defeat of Regina Kulikova in the first round of the Strasbourg International, leaving question marks over her form ahead of the French Open.

Sharapova put in a dismal performance at the year's only Grand Slam thus far, crashing out of the Australian Open at the first-round stage to Maria Kirilenko in January.

Although she bounced back from the disappointment in Melbourne to claim a WTA title in Memphis a month later, the victory against Kirilenko is only her second triumph since March in a season disrupted by an elbow injury.

You would not have suspected that she was out of practice during a one-sided first set that she controlled behind her serve - winning close to 80% of the points on her first delivery.

That serve disintegrated during the second stanza, as Kulikova claimed two breaks to deservedly force a deciding third set, in which Sharapova rallied to close out the match at a canter as she used her fluent movement and rangy physique to control rallies.

At over two hours, the match was perhaps both longer and trickier than Sharapova may have anticipated - but the on-court time may be of benefit in the long-run.

Elsewhere in Strasbourg, No. 2 seed Elena Vesnina was knocked out by world No. 75 Vania King, who won 6-4 6-1 to record only her second triumph on clay in 2010. King will be joined in the second round by other Monday winners Anastasia Rodionova and Alize Cornet.

At the Warsaw Open, Alona Bondarenko's bid to get her season back on track got off to a promising start as she breezed past Roberta Vinci 6-3 6-1. Bondarenko won her opening tournament of the year, before carrying the momentum forward to knock Jelena Jankovic out of the Australian Open on her way to a commendable fourth-round finish.

Since then, however, she has failed to progress past the round-of-16 at any of the tournaments she has competed in. More performances like the one against Vinci, where she won close to 60% of the points, should see her overcome that hurdle with ease.

There was disappointment for Bondarenko's sister Kateryna, however, as she was thoroughly beaten by Romania's Alexandra Dulgheru.

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