The 2006 champion struggled to handle the aggression Groth showed in the first set with Groth taking advantage of some below-par serving from the Russian.
Sharapova dug deep and backed by more solid serves, turned the tables on the Australian and began to find her range. She took the second set 6-3 and in the third set overpowered the Australian, winning the set 6-1 and advanced to the second round 3-6 6-3 6-1.
Jelena Jankovic of Serbia also struggled in her first round match with Simona Halep earlier in the day. The fourth seed managed to battle through a tough encounter, prevailing 6-4 4-6 7-5.
"It was tough," Jankovic said. "First round is never easy and it was hard. It was windy and my opponent played well. I had to work as I was not at my best."
