Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova won her first WTA title since her return to the circuit in April in Tianjin, China, after serving a 15-month suspension for doping.
The Russian, former world number 1 and currently 86th, beat Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (102nd) 7-5, 7-6 (10/8) in the final.
Sharapova, 30, captured her 36th WTA title, her first since winning in Rome in 2015.
The one in Tianjin was the seventh tournament he had participated in since his return to the courts after his suspension for positive Meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.
The Russian had to come back in both sets (4-1 in the first, 5-1 in the second), and even managed to save a set ball.
The Tianjin Tournament was played on hard surfaces and distributed $ 426,750 in prizes.
– Tianjin Tournament Results:
– Women’s Individual – Final:
Maria Sharapova (RUS) defeated Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 7-5, 7-6 (10/8). AFP