Sharapova fights back to beat Washington

PARIS, May 28 (Reuters) Fourth seed Maria Sharapova saved three match points as she fought back from 5-2 down in the final set to beat American Mashona Washington 6-2 5-7 7-5 in the first round of the French Open today.

The former Wimbledon champion, playing her first match in almost two months after being sidelined with a foot injury, looked down and out in the decider but roared back to clinch a second-round clash with Czech Iveta Benesova.

Sharapova, twice a quarter-finalist in Paris, looked on course for a comfortable victory when she romped through the first set thanks to a succession of winners.

But Washington, the world number 97, lifted her game in the second set and kept Sharapova off balance with a series of drop shots.

The American hammered 18 winners in the second set alone to level the match.

After Sharapova had her right foot re-strapped at the start of the third set, Washington stormed to a 5-2 lead and earned a match point on the Russian's serve.

But Sharapova saved it and held for 5-3 before saving two more on Washington's serve in the next game.

With the American tightening up, the fourth seed took her chance to break back and after holding for 5-5, she moved ahead when Washington double-faulted to drop serve.

Sharapova then served out for victory, raising her hands in celebration as a backhand from Washington sailed wide after two hours, 26 minutes.

Reuters VJ RN0110