Tennis: Tearful Sharapova downs Halep in thrilling US Open return

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NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 28: Maria Sharapova of Russia reacts during her first round Women’s Singles match against Simona Halep of Romania on Day One of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 28, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images/AFP

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Maria Sharapova marked her first Grand Slam appearance since her doping ban ended with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Romanian second seed Simona Halep at the US Open on Monday.

The 30-year-old five-time major winner and former world number one was hit by a 15-month suspension after failing a drugs test at the 2016 Australian Open.

The ban ended in April but she missed this year’s French Open and Wimbledon tournaments.

© Agence France-Presse