Sharapova ousts Kuznetsova in Cincinnati

Maria Sharapova recovered from a poor second set to dump fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova out of the Cincinnati Open in the first round on Tuesday night.

Kuznetsova, who claimed her 13th WTA Tour title with victory in the Mercury Insurance Open on Sunday, required treatment from her trainer early in the third set and was powerless to prevent Sharapova prevailing 6-4 1-6 6-2.