Maria Sharapova won In style on her return to action after a 15-month doping ban as she beat Roberta Vinci in the first round of the WTA Stuttgart Open.
The Russian Star, who was suspended March 2016 after testing positive for meldonium, beat the Italian Vinci 7-5 6-3.
Awesome win, Maria Sharapova Welcome back, convincing win over a veteran clay court player.
There was no noticeable bad reception for the 30-year-old, the five-time Grand Slam champion, who received a wild card into the main draw, was treated kindly by the 4,500 fans In the arena. She was understandably rusty but brushed off a nervous start and responded well to losing her first service game to take a tight opening set in Stuttgart, Germany.
The former world No. 1, Sharapova, who hit 11 aces and 39 winners, said: "I've been waiting for this for a long time."It's the best feeling in the world, those first few seconds before you enter the arena. To know you were walking back out there was special.
"I spent a long time without hitting any balls. I didn't know when I would be back. I went to school
for a little bit, I grew my business and had a normal life. I put the racquet away for a little bit."I felt I had to grow as a person and I think I've done that. But this is what I've done for so long. I'm a
competitor, that's when I'm at my best."
Maria Sharapova will find out on 16 May if she has been given a wildcard for the French Open 2017.
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