Maria shakes off the rust

Stuttgart, April 26

Maria Sharapova marked her return from a 15-month doping ban on Wednesday with a rusty 7-5 6-3 first-round win over Roberta Vinci in the Stuttgart Open.

The five-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1 was earlier given a lukewarm welcome by 4,500 spectators, receiving a polite applause and some whistling when she entered the sold-out arena. 

“It’s the best feeling in the world,” she said during her on-court interview. “The first few seconds before you enter the arena — it’s been a stage of mine since I was a young girl — I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.”

Headlining Wednesday’s night session, Sharapova overcame early rust and an early break to hit through a fiesty Vinci, hitting an impressive 11 aces and 39 winners in the one hour, 43 minute clash.

Awaiting the three-time champion in the second round is fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova, who upset No. 7 seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 6-4 on Tuesday.

Rafa at ease on own court

Barcelona: Rafael Nadal saw off Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-1 6-2 on Wednesday to reach the last 16 of the Barcelona Open, while Andy Murray advanced after opponent Bernard Tomic withdrew.

Playing on the newly renamed Rafa Nadal court at the Real Club de Tenis, the Spaniard made light work of his Brazilian opponent. “It makes me enormously proud that this court bears my name. It’s a huge honour and hugely satisfying,” Nadal said. — Agencies

Results 

Stuttgart Open 

Round 2: 4-Simona Halep (Romania) bt Barbora Strycova (Czech Republic) 6-2 6-3 

Round 1: 6-Johanna Konta (Britain) bt Naomi Osaka (Japan) 7-6(5) 3-6 6-1; Elena Vesnina (Russia) bt Daria Kasatkina (Russia) 7-6(2) 6-2; Ekaterina Makarova (Russia) bt 7-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) 6-2 6-4; Kristina Mladenovic (France) bt Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (Croatia) 6-4 6-2   

Barcelona Open Round 2

5-David Goffin (Belgium) bt Nikoloz Basilashvili (Georgia) 7-5 6-0; Chung Hyeon (South Korea) bt 12-Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) 6-3 6-4; 16-Feliciano Lopez (Spain) bt Albert Montanes (Spain) 6-2 6-2