Murray cruises through as Sharapova crashes out

Andy Murray began his Australian Open campaign in remorseless fashion, crushing qualifier Kevin Anderson 6-1, 6-1, 6-2. But glamour girl Maria Sharapova was the biggest casualty of the opening day in Melbourne, crashing out to the world number 58 Maria Kirilenko.

Murray's South African opponent is six foot eight and had not dropped a service game throughout the qualifying rounds, and could have been expected to give the Scot some food for thought. But Murray broke Anderson's serve eight times and lost just four games as he ran him ragged at the Rod Laver Arena.

The difference in class between Murray, seeded five, and the world number 148 was obvious, even though Anderson was clearly nervous. The only problem for Murray was a first serve success rate of just 35 per cent, which will need to improve if he is to progress against better players.

"I feel good and I think that match proved it," announced Murray after the game. He will face France's Marc Gicquel or Italy's Simone Bolelli in round two.

The big shock of the day saw Sharapova, who signed a $70m sponsorship deal with Nike before the tournament, sent packing by fellow Russian Kirilenko.

Sharapova, who won the tournament in 2008 but missed last year through injury, made 76 unforced errors and struggled on serve as she lost 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-4 in a match that lasted three hours and 20 minutes.

It was her earliest Grand Slam exit since 2003. "It's a bad day and you have to get on with your life," said Sharapova, who has not won a major tournament since her 2008 success in Australia and has only managed one quarter final in that time. ·