(CNN) -- Former champion Maria Sharapova was the biggest name to fall as she lost an epic three-set match with fellow-Russian Maria Kirilenko on a wet and windy opening day at the Australian Open. Sharapova committed 66 unforced errors to lose 7-6 3-6 6-4 in a match that lasted a marathon three hours and 21 minutes. It was a disappointing early exit for 14th seed Sharapova and continued a poor recent run in majors after she lost in the second round at Wimbledon and third round at the U.S. Open last year. The 2008 winner told reporters. "I could be disappointed or I could take it as it is and just go back on the court and keep working.
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Former champion Maria Sharapova is the biggest name to fall in the first round of the Australian Open
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The Russian is beaten 7-6 3-6 6-4 by compatriot Maria Kirilenko in a match lasting over three hours
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Justine Henin and Elena Dementieva both through to set up a mouth- watering second round showdown
The @placeholder champion raced through the opening set in just 23 minutes, and while she took her foot off the accelerator in the second, the match was always within the 15th seed's keeping.