Maria Sharapova defeated her former doubles partner Maria Kirilenko in straight sets, 6-4 , 6-0, in the opening day of the U.S. Open on Monday.

The fifth-seeded Sharapova needed only 90 minutes to dispose of Kirilenko whom she has known since they were 12 years old on and off the court.

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"It's always tough to start a tournament, especially a player like her who is a tough opponent," Sharapova said of Kirilenko. "She's been injured and it's great to have her back competing."

The French Open champion Sharapova trailed 4-2 in the first set but won 10 consecutive games to capture the set and shut out the 27-year-old Kirilenko in the second set for a first round win.

Sharapova will face Romanian Alexandra Dulgheru in the next round.

A possible fourth round opponent for Sharapova, 10^th seed Caroline Wozniacki won against Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia who retired on the third set of their match.

By coincidence Rybarikova was also Wozniacki's opening day opponent at the recent Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati, winning 6-2 6-3.

The 24-year-old Wozniacki said in an interview before the match that she doesn't want to be remembered as a failed relationship with golf star Rory McIlroy.

"I don't want my name stuck with him forever. I'm my own person. I have my own career," said Wozniacki.

Wozniacki goes up against Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus in the second round.

Also in the same section, Sabine Lisicki advanced to the next round after winning against Canadian Francoise Abanda 6-3 7-5 and fellow German and 18^th seed Andrea Petkovic won against qualifier Ons Jabeur in a close three-set matchup.

If all four players win their matchups in the second round, Sharapova will face Lisicki in the third round while Wozniackie will go up against Petkovic.

TagsCaroline Wozniacki, Rory McIlroy, sabine Lisicki, Andrea Petkovic