By Daily Sports on October 16, 2017
Former world number one Maria Sharapova won her first title since May 2015, beating Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-6 (10-8) in the Tianjin Open final.
The 30-year-old Russian was playing her seventh event since she returned to the tour in April from a 15-month drug ban.
She trailed 4-1 in both sets before overcoming the 19-year-old Belarusian, who was contesting her first WTA final, in two hours and five minutes.
It is the five-time Grand Slam winner's 36th WTA tournament victory.
Sharapova was denied a wildcard for the French Open, missed Wimbledon through injury and reached the US Open fourth round as a wildcard before losing to Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova.
The Russian, who began the week ranked 86th in the world, received a wildcard for the event in China.
She broke a nervous-looking Sabalenka in the opening game but then lost four games in succession as the teenager struck back with aggressive returns.
The result means Sharapova moves up to number 57 in the world rankings.
•Photo shows Maria Sharapova.
Source Daily Sports
Posted October 16, 2017
You may also like...
Like father, like son: The Aiyenugba goalkeeping dynasty...
Solskjaer In Touch With Man Utd Stars During...
Zidane out to silence critics as injuries pile...
Shaw excited for Ajagba fight
Wenger celebrates 21st anniversary with victory over Brighton...
No deal yet between Pogba and Manchester United...
Boniface salutes Neymar, Ronaldo after World Cup exits
Durodola gets 45th KO win at National Stadium
35 players hit NTTF camp ahead int’l tourneys
No excuses: Team Nigeria fired up by world-class C’wealth Games camp
All three World Cup co-hosts eliminated from tournament
CAF confirms Rangers, Rivers United, others for 2026/27 Champions League qualifiers
Paraguayan senator demands apology from Mbappé, threatens legal action
2026 World Cup will be my last tournament, says Cristiano Ronaldo
Okonjo-Iweala hails African teams’ impressive World Cup campaign
Belgium vows to ‘defend football’ after FIFA overturns Balogun suspension
FIFA ‘crossed a red line’ in Balogun reprieve — UEFA
W’Cup qualifiers: D’Tigers end perfect window with Rwanda rout
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,941 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,279 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,187 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,797 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,682 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,549 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,438 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,958 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,171 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,638 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,120 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,508 views)