US Open: Sharapova stuns Halep on Grand Slam return

In her first Grand Slam action since serving a 15-month doping suspension, Russian tennis star, Maria Sharapova knocked out world number two, Simona Halep, at the US Open.

Sharapova returned from her ban in April but has struggled with thigh and forearm injuries, playing just once since May.

The 30-year old won 6-4 4-6 6-3 in front of a sell-out night session crowd of almost 24,000 people in New York.

“You never know what you’re going to feel until you win that match point, but everything you go through is worth it for this moment,” said Sharapova after the victory.

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“You sometimes wonder why you put in all the work, and this is exactly why.”

Sharapova qualified as a wild card as she is ranked 146th, but happened to upset second seed, Halep, before breaking down into tears of joy as fans welcomed her back with loud cheers.

Sharapova now has a 7-0 record against Romania’s Halep.

She goes on to face Hungary’s Timea Babos, the world number 59, in round two on Wednesday.

 

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