August 29, 2012
Maria Sharapova reached the US Open second round yesterday before admitting the subject of pregnancy came up during recent tests into a mystery stomach problem.
The Russian superstar eased to a 6-2, 6-2 win over Hungary's Melinda Czink in her first match since finishing with a silver medal at the London Olympics.
Sharapova then pulled out of the Montreal and Cincinnati tournaments with a stomach problem which left her in severe pain as well as her head in a spin after undergoing an ultrasound examination.
''It was really weird. They told me I was fine, not pregnant. I'm like, 'Can I get my money back?''' the 2006 US Open champion smiled. ''It was worse when I got to Montreal. At the end of the day, I think it was some stomach bug. But I thought it was getting better. Then I started eating like the normal Maria and it wasn't better. I don't think we should make this much more dramatic than it was.
''I mean, at the time I was being dramatic, but I'm fine. I was fine.''
Sharapova, whose French Open win this year allowed her to complete a career grand slam, also faced down another inquiry into her private life - over whether or not she and her fiance, ex-NBA basketball star Sasha Vujacic, would be marrying in Istanbul in November.
''I don't have a wedding coming up in November,'' she said.
''That's not true. I'm so surprised everyone believed that.''
Sharapova sent down 24 winners to Czink's eight in a dominant display on Arthur Ashe Stadium court.