Sharapova edges past feisty Loit at Roland Garros

Maria made a tentative start to her French Open campaign, beating France's Emilie Loit 6-3 7-6(4) on a grey morning on Wednesday.

The Russian, who has never gone beyond the quarter-finals on four previous visits to the French capital, looked rusty under menacing clouds.

Maria had broken Loit to open up a 2-1 lead when the Frenchwoman had her left thigh and lower back massaged and left Centre Court to receive further treatment.

She returned afer a few minutes and the pair traded breaks before Sharapova captured Loit's serve again to wrap up the set. World number 41 Loit, 27, put up a brave challenge in the second, breaking serve in the fifth game to move 3-2 up.

The Russian responded by breaking back only to drop serve again in the 11th game, enabling Loit to serve for the set. Loit, however, was broken and Sharapova took the tiebreak 7-4 with a forehand winner on her first match point.

In the 2nd round Maria will face veteran Jill Craybas of the United States.  Maria has never played Craybas before.