Maria Sharapova makes winning return to tennis after doping ban

Former World No 1 Maria Sharapova made a winning comeback to the sports following her 15-month ban for doping. 

The Russian Tennis player defeated Italian Roberta Vinci 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of the Stuttgart Open in Germany. She will now face compatriot Ekaterina Makarova in the second round today. 

Three-time Stuttgart champion Maria Sharapova received a controversial wild card for



the German tournament, after more than a year out following her suspension for banned substances. Her initial two-year suspension was reduced to 15 months and Sharapova is now without a world ranking. 

The 30-year-old player tested positive at the 2016 Australian Open for meldonium, a medication the Russian had been taking within the rules but which was then reclassified as a banned drug.