Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova, No. 86 in the world, qualified this Saturday for the final of the Tianjin Tournament, where she will face Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (102nd) on Sunday in search of her first WTA title since her return to the circuit after 15-month suspension for doping.
The 30-year-old Russian defeated China’s Peng Shuai (25th) 6-3, 6-1 in the semifinals.
For her part, Sabalenka eliminated Italian Sara Errani (280th) 6-1, 6-3. At 19, she will try to win her first WTA tournament.
The Tianjin Tournament is played on a hard surface and distributes $ 426,750 in prizes.
– Tianjin Tournament Results:
– Women’s individual – semifinals:
Maria Sharapova (RUS) defeated Shuai Peng (CHN / N.3) 6-3, 6-1
Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) bt Sara Errani (ITA) 6-1, 6-3