Murray enjoys a profitable first round exit

The British number five, in only her second appearance here, was never likely to progress against the former champion. Just six months separate them in age but the gulf in their experience was brutally exposed on Number One court.

Murray has only played four main draw matches in her career, earning £77,000 in prize money from plying her trade on the sport’s hard knocks challenger circuit.

In contrast, Sharapova is celebrating ten years since winning Wimbledon as a 17-year old, has claimed 32 titles and made over £17m in prize money and millions more in endorsements.

They play the same sport but they live in very different worlds.

However, Murray gave her opponent more of a match than the 6-1, 6-0 scoreline suggests and will feel good about booming four aces past her rival.

She even had a chance to break in the opening game before nerves tightened and the number five seed restored normal service.

Murray will bank £27,000 for her first round exit and claims the experience will only motivate her as she returns to the hard grind of the tennis tour and bids to inch her current 242 ranking upwards.

“It’s a big help for the rest of the year,” she added.

“It lets you travel more and it’s not so much strain in deciding where to play.

“The money definitely helps in being able to build a schedule that’s right for your tennis rather than having to worry financially whether you’re able to go to those tournaments.

Sharapova – whose confidence is brimming after her recent win at the French Open – shouldn’t really be troubled here until a likely quarter-final with Serena Williams.

But the same was said last year, when she exited at the second round to Michelle Larcher de Brito, a player only previously known for having a louder grunt than the Russian.

British number one Heather Watson overcame a sleepless night to effortlessly progress to second round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Ajla Tomljanovic.