Maria makes a move in Rome

ROME - Maria Sharapova boosted her comeback on Monday as the former world No 1 overcame a slow start to win her opening match at the WTA Rome Open, beating Christina McHale 6-4, 6-2.

The five-time Grand Slam winner went down a quick break in the first set before revving up to claim the opener in her third event since last month's end of a 15-month doping suspension.

"It felt slow and the conditions are quite different to Madrid," said Sharapova, a three-time champion in the Italian capital.