Maria Sharapova opens the night session against Iveta Benesova on day four of the US Open.

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Sharapova had a very tough opener against the aggressive Australia Jarmila Groth who came out swinging and put the Russian under lots of pressure from the word go. Sharapova had to dig deep and eventually came through 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 but the ease with which her serve was attacked will have been worrying.

"For me, first match is always the toughest. She played really well and I had to work for every point. I wasn't playing my best tennis so I'm lucky to get through and have a chance to play another match," she said.

Benesova had a straightforward 6-3 7-6 win over Nuria Llagostera Vives. The Czech had a notable win over Jelena Jankovic on the way to the Montreal quarters last month but since then she's had a couple of very heavy defeats to Marion Bartoli and Angelique Kerber.  

They have played twice in the past with Sharapova winning both in straight sets, the last time being a 6-4, 7-5 victory in Tokyo last autumn.

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