Maria Sharapova made a winning comeback to the tour following her 15-month doping ban.
The former world number one beat Italian Roberta Vinci in straight sets in the first round of the Stuttgart Grand Prix.
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MariaSharapova
advances to PorscheTennis Second round!Tops Vinci 7-5, 6-3! #PTGP2017 pic.twitter.com/ivXjFLs8IR
— WTA (@WTA) April 26, 2017
The 30-year-old Russian received a controversial wild card for the German tournament, having had no ranking points after more than a year out following her suspension.
This feeling is everything!! Thank you!!❤️ pic.twitter.com/J7UNBs4Jqi
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) April 26, 2017
She made a nervous start, but found her strokes to power past the world number 36, 7-5 6-3.
She will now play fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova in the second round.
“I've been waiting for this moment for a long time!” –
— WTA (WTA) April 26, 2017MariaSharapova
#PTGP2017 pic.twitter.com/08SnpcMPuK