MARIA SHARAPOVA HAD no compassion for Harriet Dart after the Russian star inflicted a double-bagel defeat on her beleaguered opponent at the Australian Open.
Former world number one Sharapova barely raised a sweat in her 6-0 6-0 rout of British qualifier Dart in Melbourne on Monday.
Dart left Rod Laver Arena in tears following the 63-minute demolition but five-time grand slam champion Sharapova had no sympathy for the 22-year-old post-match.
“I mean, there is no time for that, I’m sorry to say,” Sharapova – the 30th seed – told reporters afterwards. “Not when you’re playing the first round of a grand slam.
“I have been in many positions, last year [at] Wimbledon [I] came out against a qualifier that played really well.
“There is no doubt that my level wasn’t where I wanted it to be, but she was there to take the match.
“The youngsters are coming up and they’ll eventually take our place but not just yet, we want a little more time.”
Sharapova, who won the Australian Open in 2008, will meet Swede Rebecca Peterson in the second round.
- Omni
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