Rome May 16 (IANS) Three-time Italian Open champion Maria Sharapova of Russia on Tuesday battled past Australia s 16th-seeded Ashleigh Barty 7-5 3-6 6-2 in the first round of this year s tourney here.
Participating for the 10th time in the tournament the Russian needed two hours and 32 minutes to eliminate world No.6 Barty reports Efe.
Sharapova the world s No. 40 is set to play the second round on Wednesday against Slovakia s Dominika Cibulkova who defeated Italy s Francesca Schiavone.
The Russian player has won three of her six clashes with Cibulkova.

--IANS pur/sku/