Sharapova, Kerber and Djokovic into 2nd round in Australia

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Maria Sharapova, Angelique Kerber and Novak Djokovic ensured there were all kinds of successful comebacks on Day 2 of the Australian Open.

Six-time champion Djokovic and 2014 Australian Open winner Stan Wawrinka returned from long injury layoffs with victories in their first matches since Wimbledon.

Sharapova barely missed a beat in her first match back in Melbourne since a failed doping test in 2016 resulted in a 15-month ban from tennis.

One of just two former champions in the women's draw, Sharapova recovered from an early break in the second set and closed out her 6-1, 6-4 victory over Tatjana Maria with an ace at Margaret Court Arena.

She celebrated by twirling, waving and blowing kisses to the crowd.