Tennis Panorama Archives

Archives of TennisPanorama.com 2008-2013

TennisPanorama.com 2008-2013
  • Home
  • Tennis Panorama
You are here: Home / Features / Maria Sharapova Wins First Match After Serving 15-Month Doping Ban

Maria Sharapova Wins First Match After Serving 15-Month Doping Ban

April 26, 2017 By Tennis Panorama News

Embed from Getty Images

(April 26, 2017)Maria Sharapova returned to the court on Wednesday after a 15-month absence due to a doping ban. The five-time major winner defeated No. 34 Roberta Vinci 7-5, 6-3 to advance at the Porsche Grand Prix WTA event in Stuttgart.

Sharapova was suspended from the tour for testing positive for the drug meldonium. She had been taking the drug for many years. Her ban was reduced from two year to 15-months.

Maria Sharapova’s Ban Reduced to 15 Months

The 30-year-old was not allowed to set foot on the grounds of the tournament until Wednesday morning for practice, as her suspension ended at midnight.

This was the Russian’s first match since the 2016 quarterfinals of the Australian Open where she lost to Serena Williams.

Sharapova who was given a wildcard into Stuttgart, has also been given wildcards into Rome and Madrid.

“It’s the best feeling in the world,” Sharapova said on court after her “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.”

“It’s a journey, and it starts today and I’m looking forward to playing as many matches as I can.”

As for the match itself, Sharapova hit 11 aces, 39 winners and made 21 unforced errors. In her post-match news conference, Sharapova was asked about other people’s comments about her returning to the tour.

“It’s not my job” to think about other people’s comments, she said.

“Words and quotes and articles is not what matters in life, I have learned that very well over the past year.”

“Articles, they go away, that is not life. What matters is what happens on the court.”

“I’m not getting a wild card to receive a trophy. I still have to win the matches and that’s my job.”

Sharapova will face countrywoman Ekaterina Makarova next.

 

Maria Sharapova news conference, begins at the 7-minute mark:

Related Articles:

Maria Sharapova Set to Return From Doping Ban at Stuttgart Tourney

ITF Statement Regarding the Case of Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova Announces She Failed Drug Test at Australian Open

 

PORSCHE TENNIS GRAND PRIX – STUTTGART, GER
$776,000
24 – 30 APRIL 2017

RESULTS – APRIL 26, 2017
Women’s
Singles – Second Round

[4] S. Halep (ROU) d B. Strycova (CZE) 62 63
[Q] A. Kontaveit (EST) d [5] G. Muguruza (ESP) 26 76(1) 61
First Round
[6] [WC] J. Konta (GBR) d [Q] N. Osaka (JPN) 76(5) 36 61
K. Mladenovic (FRA) d M. Lucic-Baroni (CRO) 64 62
E. Vesnina (RUS) d D. Kasatkina (RUS) 76(2) 62
C. Suárez Navarro (ESP) d [Q] T. Korpatsch (GER) 62 64
[WC] M. Sharapova (RUS) d R. Vinci (ITA) 75 63
C. Vandeweghe (USA) d [Q] J. Ostapenko (LAT) 76(3) 76(3)

Women’s
Doubles – First Round

[1] A. Spears (USA) / K. Srebotnik (SLO) d E. Rodina (RUS) / A. Sevastova (LAT) 62 61
L. Kichenok (UKR) / L. Tsurenko (UKR) d R. Olaru (ROU) / O. Savchuk (UKR) 26 64 12-10

ORDER OF PLAY – THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017
CENTRE COURT start 12:00 noon
[8] S. Kuznetsova (RUS) vs [WC] L. Siegemund (GER)
[6] [WC] J. Konta (GBR) vs A. Sevastova (LAT)
[WC] M. Sharapova (RUS) vs E. Makarova (RUS)

Not Before 6:30 pm
[1] A. Kerber (GER) vs K. Mladenovic (FRA)
C. Vandeweghe (USA) vs [2] K. Pliskova (CZE)
N. Broady (GBR) / A. Smith (GBR) vs [3] R. Atawo (USA) / J. Ostapenko (LAT)

COURT 1 start 1:00 pm
E. Vesnina (RUS) vs C. Suárez Navarro (ESP)
A. Hlavackova (CZE) / S. Stosur (AUS) vs S. Halep (ROU) / A. Rosolska (POL)
After suitable rest – [1] A. Spears (USA) / K. Srebotnik (SLO) vs A. Muhammad (USA) / L. Siegemund (GER)

TEB BNP PARIBAS ISTANBUL CUP – ISTANBUL, TUR
$250,000
24 – 30 APRIL 2017

RESULTS – APRIL 26, 2017
Women’s
Singles – Second Round

[3] I. Begu (ROU) d K. Flipkens (BEL) 61 16 63
[5] S. Cirstea (ROU) d M. Sakkari (GRE) 64 62
[WC] D. Yastremska (UKR) d [LL] A. Kalinskaya (RUS) 61 64
First Round
[1] E. Svitolina (UKR) d [Q] V. Kamenskaya (RUS) 64 06 61
[2] T. Babos (HUN) d [Q] C. Perrin (SUI) 63 62
[6] E. Mertens (BEL) d K. Kozlova (UKR) 64 61
[Q] A. Cadantu (ROU) d N. Hibino (JPN) 26 60 63
[WC] A. Aksu (TUR) d [Q] E. Kulichkova (RUS) 75 61
C. Buyukakcay (TUR) d M. Zanevska (BEL) 62 61

Women’s
Doubles – First Round

D. Jakupovic (SLO) / N. Kichenok (UKR) d [1] S. Hsieh (TPE) / I. Soylu (TUR) 76(5) 62
E. Bouchard (CAN) / K. Flipkens (BEL) d A. Kalinskaya (RUS) / L. Marozava (BLR) 61 63
N. Dzalamidze (RUS) / V. Kudermetova (RUS) d A. Omae (JPN) / R. Voracova (CZE) 62 67(5) 10-6

ORDER OF PLAY – THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017
GARANTI KOZA ARENA start 12:30 pm
[6] E. Mertens (BEL) vs S. Errani (ITA)
[Q] B. Eraydin (TUR) vs [WC] A. Aksu (TUR)

Not Before 5:00 pm
C. Buyukakcay (TUR) vs [2] T. Babos (HUN)

Not Before 7:00 pm
[1] E. Svitolina (UKR) vs [Q] A. Cadantu (ROU)
After Due Rest – T. Babos (HUN) / C. Buyukakcay (TUR) vs M. Duque-Mariño (COL) / A. Mitu (ROU)

COURT 1 start 1:00 pm
J. Cepelova (SVK) vs S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP)
After Due Rest – [WC] A. Aksu (TUR) / D. Yastremska (UKR) vs [4] N. Melichar (USA) / E. Mertens (BEL)

Filed Under: Features, tennis news, tournaments Tagged With: Germany, Maria Sharapova, Porsche Grand Prix, Roberta Vinci, Stuttgart, tennis, women's tennis, WTA

Archives

  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • March 2009
  • December 2008

Copyright © 2023 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in