Maria Sharapova has ended her two-year wait for a title after defeating Aryna Sabalenka 7-5, 7-6(8), in the final of the Tianjin Open.
The former world No.1 was contesting her first WTA final since the 2015 Italian Open. During that time she missed 15-months of the tour after being suspended for a positive drugs test and had previously only reached one tour semifinal this season.
Facing a player who earlier in the week told reporters that Sharapova was her idol growing up, the world No.86 was unable exert her dominance throughout the match. In both sets the Russian was forced to come back from behind to prevail. During the first, Sharapova trailed 1-4, before winning six out of the following seven games.
A similar story unfolded in the second set with rapid changes of momentum occurring. Sabalenka, who is set to break into the top-100 on Monday for the first time, rallied to seemingly commanding 5-1 lead. Still, it was not enough to tame Sharapova and her trademark fighting spirit. The greater experienced player managed to capitalize on her opponent’s nerves to draw level at 5-5 on route to forcing a tiebreaker.
With victory in sight for Sharapova, getting there proved to be a stern test. During an 18-point tiebreaker three match points and went before she was gifted her fourth. A double fault from Sadalenka at 8-8 moved the Russia once again to a point away from the title. This time she converted after a Sharapova serve was returned out by her rival.
THE MOMENT! @MariaSharapova wins the 2017 Tianjin Open 7-5, 7-6 in just over 2 hours 🏆 #tianjinopen #Sharapova pic.twitter.com/kSQyqrgr3N
— Tianjin Open (@TianjinOpen) 15 October 2017
Moscow awaits
Despite a lacklustre first service rate of only 49%, Sharapova exits the tournament with her 36th tour title. She will now re-enter the top 60 on Monday when the world rankings are updated before playing her final tournament of the season.
The 30-year-old will travel to Moscow to play in the Kremlin Cup where she will take on eighth seed Magdaléna Rybáriková. Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko has hailed Sharapova’s triumph in China ahead of her return to her homeland.
“I enjoyed Maria’s playing,” Mutko told TASS news the match. “She has demonstrated all her best qualities.”
“The game was very good,” he continued. “Now, we shall see her at the Kremlin Cup.”
Sharapova hasn’t played in the Kremlin Cup since 2007.
