Sharapova crushes Hamption to advance to round 3

No. 4 seed, former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova of Russia completely crushed No. 144 ranked Jamie Hampton of the USA on Thursday in Melbourne, to advance to round three of the 2012 Australian Open.

The match lasted just 64 minutes, and Sharapova allowed Hampton only one game, taking the match 6-0, 6-1.

It was Sharapova’s first event of the season because of a lingering ankle injury.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova won the Australian Open in 2008.

She will next face German Angelique Kerber, who defeated Canada’s Stephanie Dubois 7-5, 6-1.

Safina pulls out of Wimbledon

Dinara Safina of Russia has decided to pull out of the 2010 Wimbledon, following the lead of countrywoman, Elena Dementieva who withdrew because of a calf injury on Tuesday.

“I had to pull out today,” tweeted Safina on her Twitter feed. “My back injury came back and I can’t play… I tried but I can’t…sorry.”

Safina’s exit from the Grand Slam opens the way for Stephanie Dubois of Canada to enter the draw as a lucky loser.

In 2009, Safina reached the semifinals of Wimbledon before being crushed by Venus Williams of the USA in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1.

Clijsters Withdraws from French Open

Kim Clijsters of Belgium has officially withdrawn as of Friday from the upcoming French Open because of a foot injury suffered during Fed Cup play last month. Though she has resumed hitting, despite her efforts to recover in time for the major tournament, the injury hasn’t fully healed and she has opted to skip the competition.

A CT scan today revealed the injury was healing, but fluid is still building up around her ankle and she has opted to miss the second grand slam of the year and end her clay-court season.