"The welcome has been incredible and finally playing so close to home was really special." Sharapova needed two hours to secure her win as she works on a comeback after earlier this year serving out her 15-month ban for use of an illegal medication. The 30-year-old saved a pair of break points in the third set to ensure her eventual victory. "I feel like I'm playing catch-up against everyone who's had a head start.

All that matters is that I keep playing," the winner said. "As long as I'm the one winning the last point, I get to play another match, and another. The more I play, the better I'll do. That's the goal." Sharapova completed her first North American hardcourt match in two years, competing as a wild card entry in California. Sharapova had to fight after easily winning the opening set, finally coming up with the win as the match went the distance.

"I had a bit of a let-down but that's the way it is; you finish a set and think you've got it, but she came out firing, capable of hitting winners and big serves. I had to look out for that," she said.