Maria Sharapova has booked her place in the second round at Wimbledon, while the main surprise of the Grand Slam event`s first day came at the hands of another Russian, Elena Vesnina, who saw off five-time champion Venus Williams.

The reigning tennis queen Sharapova is seeking back-to back Grand Slams after winning the French Open last month.The Russian was not messing around against Anastasia Rodinova winning in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.

But there was an even more impressive victory for another Russian on the day. World number 79 Elena Vesnina sending former world number one Venus Williams packing in straight sets 6-1, 6-3. It`s the first time in 15 years that Williams has lost in the opening round at the All-England club.

It was a good day too for the pick of the other Russian women involved. Top 20 seeds, Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova, had few problems in their clashes, while Vera Zvonareva, a Wimbledon finalist two years ago, must wait until later on Tuesday to finish her close Day One clash with Germany`s Mona Barthel.

Russia`s top ranking male player is safely into the second round in London. Mikhail Youzhny, celebrating his 30th birthday on Monday, and needed four sets to take care of Donald Young. The 26th seed fought back from a set down to beat the unheralded American.

Dmitry Tursunov though is out going down to Germany`s Florian Mayer, while another Russian Igor Andreev had a tough outing against Briton Oliver Golding, but still came out the right side of the four-set battle.

Photo - Reuters / Toby Melville
sections: Sport