Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova was cheered on by the spirited crowd at the Shenzhen Longgang Sports Center. (Photo: AFP/STR)

BEIJING: Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova had a tough start to her 2019 tennis season on Monday (Dec 31) at the Shenzhen Open, edging out Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky 6-2, 7-6 (7/3).

In a battle of former Top 10 players, Sharapova's serve faltered early in the match but she regained composure to take the first set, cheered on by the spirited crowd at the Shenzhen Longgang Sports Center.