Many of her rivals were not happy with Sharapova receiving a wildcard entry into the Stuttgart event including Bouchard, who said the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) was sending the wrong message in allowing Sharapova to come back.
Advertisement
Sharapova, the former world No.1 and five-time Grand Slam champion, brushed off a nervous start to eventually claim a convincing win on her controversial comeback having tested positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.
“Not for those suspended for doping”, said Agnieszka Radwanska, who was projected to meet Sharapova in the second round but was beaten by Ekatarina Makarova, who will presumably have a more sympathetic view towards her compatriot.
The disqualification period was over on April 26 and organizers of the Premier Level tournament sent a special invitation called the Wild Card to Sharapova. “She was really focused, really aggressive, she played well and deserved to win”.
The Russian used the cliche “one step at a time” when asked about her feelings on whether or not she will play at the French Open in a month’s time.
Even her opponent on Wednesday, Italy’s Vinci, joined the chorus, saying in the Times: “My personal opinion is that I don’t agree about the wild card here and about the wild card in Rome and the other tournaments”.
Findings revealed that Sharapova was not an “intentional doper”, but “bore some degree of fault” for relying on her agent to check the prohibited list for changes and failing to ensure he had done so. While some players contend she should work her way up without the help of wild cards from tournaments, others believe that she has served her punishment for doping and she was entitled to play, ESPN reported.
“Felt I settled down a little bit”, Sharapova said, via the Associated Press.
“Words, quotes and articles are not what matter in life. I still have to win the matches and that’s my job”.
“It was quite a lot of time out, probably the most since I had shoulder surgery”. But the real intrigue lies off court, with Sharapova’s return a divisive issue.
Earlier Wednesday, Sharapova completed a one-hour training session on an empty center court.
Sharapova will learn on May 16 whether she will receive a wildcard for the French Open, the year’s second Grand Slam which she won in 2012 and 2014.
Advertisement
Anastasija Sevastova beat sixth-seeded Johanna Konta 6-3, 7-5 to set up a quarterfinal against Simona Halep.
