Sharapova makes winning start to grasscourt season

LONDON, June 14 (Reuters) Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova today made a comfortable start to the grasscourt season with a 6-4 6-2 victory over American qualifer Ahsha Rolle at the Edgbaston tournament.

The Russian, who won at Edgbaston before claiming the Wimbledon crown two years ago aged 17, returned last year and successfully defended her title.

She will try to make it three in a row ahead of Wimbledon fortnight which begins on June 26.

Sharapova, who lost to compatriot Dinara Safina in the fourth round of the French Open last week, had a bye into the second round at Edgbaston and meets Eleni Daniilidou of Greece or Li Na of China in the third round.

REUTERS SY BD2212