Nigeria Content Online

Maria Sharapova
underlined her pulling power on Monday with Auckland Classic organisers
confirming they had sold out all of the day sessions for the entire
tournament just minutes before she stepped on court for her first round
match.

A limited number of
tickets for the three night sessions were left available, though all of
Sharapova’s matches will be played during the day and organisers said
it was the first time the tournament, with a total prize pool of just
$220,000, had been effectively sold out by the first day.

Sharapova, making
her first appearance in New Zealand, received an enormous cheer from
the 3,200 fans packed around the revamped centre court, before the
former world number one overcame a nervous start to beat Alberta
Brianti 6-2 6-3.

First timer

The 23-year-old
Russian, who will now meet Renata Voracova of the Czech Republic in the
second round, said she had been pleased at the Auckland public’s
reaction to the tournament.

“I was surprised
yesterday when I came to practice even all the people with the
qualifying matches,” she told reporters after her victory over the
Italian.

“From a player’s
perspective that’s really exciting … it’s my first time here and I
didn’t know what to expect, but it has been really great.”

While Sharapova’s
presence has undoubtedly helped drive the ticket sales, the draw also
includes two-time grand slam title winner Svetlana Kuznetsova who also
made it into the second round after a 6-4 6-2 victory over local
wildcard Sacha Jones.

The 25-year-old
Russian, who had what she described as a year to forget in 2010 and
finished outside the top-20 for the first time since 2004 and will meet
China’s Peng Shuai in the next round, also praised the crowd for their
support.

“I have played many
courts and crowds, but I tell you this is a lot of people for the
tournament, even for the qualifiers, there were lots of people,”
Kuznetsova said.

“I was surprised at how many people came here, but the people
obviously love tennis and love to watch. It’s a pleasure for all of the
players to come and play in front of the crowd.”