NY Times · May 25, 2015
Coughing Sharapova Canters Into French Open Second Round
PARIS — Maria Sharapova was feeling off color but her game looked in good health as the French Open champion opened her title defense with a 6-2 6-4 first-round win against Estonia's Kaia Kanepi on Monday.
The second seed, who will next face fellow Russian Vitalia Diatchenko, was barely bothered by a cold in a late-afternoon canter on Court Philippe Chatrier.
"I'm getting over it, and hopefully it will pass by soon," Sharapova, who warmed up for Roland Garros by winning the Italian Open, told a news conference.
Sharapova, wearing a sailor shirt and a matching blue skirt, wasted chances to move 4-0 up as Kanepi broke back to trail 3-2, but normal service soon resumed.