MARIA Sharapova wants to talk about forehands, not fashion, as she continued her injury comeback with a straight sets win at Wimbledon.

After nine months of frustration on the sidelines, the former world number one arrived at the All England Club more in hope than expectation.

Normally a flurry of hype precedes her debut with a stream of stories about the cost of her dress and the origin of her earrings.

This time Sharapova is doing what doesn’t come naturally – and keeping things low-key.

The 22-year-old – who won five years ago as a virtually unknown 17- year-old – struggled to a 7-5, 6-4 victory over qualifier Viktoriya Kutuzovaon and said: “The shoulder felt really good considering it was only my fourth tournament back.

“There are still a few things I need to work on but I feel that every match I’m playing at the moment is helping me get back to where I was.”

Elsewhere, second seed Serena Williams brushed aside Portugal’s Neuza Silva 6-1, 7-5 in one hour and 14 minutes.

The two-time winner, who was beaten by sister Venus in last year’s final, now faces Australia’s Jarmila Groth.

■ Leading life assurance and pensions company AEGON is lead partner of British Tennis and is backing the sport at all levels, from grassroots to world class tennis events. For further information visit www.lta.org.uk