Maria Sharapova wins Olympic debut against Peer

Maria Sharapova won her Olympic debut indoors on Sunday, beating Shahar Peer of Israel 6-2, 6-0.

Maria Sharapova won her Olympic debut indoors on Sunday, beating Shahar Peer of Israel 6-2, 6-0.

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Playing under Wimbledon's retractable roof on Centre Court because of heavy rain in London, the No. 3-seeded Sharapova served well, returned aggressively and swept the last eight games.

Sharapova completed a career Grand Slam in June when she won the French Open.

She carried the Russian flag in the opening ceremonies after missing the 2008 Olympics because of shoulder injury.

Sharapova improved to 7-0 against Peer.

While the roof was closed from the start of the day, some 22 matches on other courts were postponed because of rain, including one involving top-seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.