Sharapova's achy shoulder holds up at French Open

TENNIS: Maria Sharapova's achy right shoulder might have been to blame for a few shaky moments at the French Open on Wednesday.

Her confidence? Perfectly intact.

After taking time off and getting a cortisone shot for what she called the worst injury of her career, Sharapova got through her first test at Roland Garros, playing through a drizzle to beat Emilie Loit of France 6-3, 7-6 (4).

"Even without a serve," the two-time Grand Slam champion said, "I'm good enough to win many matches."

She certainly was on a day when several top players had lapses before managing to win, including Venus Williams, Justine Henin and Roger Federer - who complained he was sent out on court too late in the day, saying, "I can hardly see the ball. You start stressing out."

That trio reached the third round; Sharapova got to the second.

"My shoulder is still not where I want it to be," said the No. 2-seeded Sharapova, sidelined for about two months with what she was said was nearly a tear in the joint. "It's still not perfect. At times I still feel it."

Whatever problems Sharapova's shoulder presented, she was able to overcome them thanks, at least in part, to her legs, which enabled her to reach shot after shot. "She covers the court very well," Loit said. "I mean, she runs fast."

No woman ever has served faster at a Grand Slam tournament than Williams did during her 6-1, 7-6 (8) victory over Ashley Harkleroad, a match that suddenly swung from ho-hum to harrowing for the five-time major champion. Williams was ahead 6-1, 4-1, 30-love when she hit her record 206 kph (128 mph) serve, then peeked at the speed readout and nearly doubled over in laughter. "I loved it," she said.

But the moment also cracked her concentration. After winning the next point to make it 5-1, Williams dropped five consecutive games, squandering match points along the way. "I really just got overconfident," said Williams, who next faces No. 4 Jelena Jankovic. "I was just feeling like I couldn't lose - and then it was even."

PARIS, AP, Thursday