Sharapova banishes memories of last year's Australian Open defeat
Former champion Sharapova was shocked by fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko in 2010 as she struggled to find her best form after shoulder surgery, but all that was forgotten with a 6-1 6-3 victory at Melbourne Park on Monday.
Given the first slot again on the showpiece Rod Laver Arena, Sharapova dropped the first game to love after serving two double faults and admitted thoughts of her 2010 loss were at the back of her mind.
"I was definitely a little bit nervous in the first game," Sharapova told the official Australian Open website.
"Last year I played first match on center and lost. I really didn't want that to happen again. In the middle of the first set, I started swinging a little bit."
Should the Australian Open be played in February?
Last year I played first match on center and lost. I really didn't want that to happen again.
The 14th seed then reeled off the next six games to take the opener in just 25 minutes. Sharapova trailed 3-1 in the second set before a run of five straight wins enabled her to close out a comfortable win.
Top seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark also came through a tough-looking opener against Argentina's Gisela Dulko, the world number one in doubles.
Wozniacki won 6-3 6-4 in one hour 40 minutes, putting an early defeat at last week's WTA tournament in Sydney behind her as she bids for her first grand slam title.
Australian Open: From nomad to nouveau riche
With defending champion Serena Williams absent through injury, her sister Venus Williams is hoping to keep the title in the family and the fourth seed made a convincing start beating Italian Sara Errani 6-3 6-2 in their first round match.
French Open champion Francesca Schiavone dropped the first set to Spain's Arantxa Para Santonja before winning 6-7 6-2 6-4.
Last week's winner in Sydney, China's Li Na, continued her fine form with a 6-1 7-5 win over Swede Sofia Arvidsson to advance.