Sharapova poised for return
Not much phases Roberta Vinci after 16 years on Tour but the maelstrom swirling around her opening match in Stuttgart against Maria Sharapova will test even the Italian’s vast experience.
Her 946th singles might ordinarily have been one to chalk off and forget about but standing over the other side of the net on Wednesday will be the former world No 1 on her return from a 15-month doping ban.
Whatever else is happening on any other court in the world will become irrelevant as Russian multi-millionaire Sharapova resumes a career that made her the richest sportswoman.
Debate still rages about Sharapova’s crime and punishment.
While some say the five-times grand slam champion, initially banned for two years after testing positive for Meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open, has done her time some players are angry the red carpet is being rolled out.
With no ranking after such a long period without swinging her racket in anger, Sharapova could have been forced to work her way back from the lower rungs of the tennis ladder.
NEERAJ BAGS SILVER
India’s world junior champion in javelin throw Neeraj Chopra was among five athletes to win silver. His best throw was 82.11m, far off from his personal best of 86.48m, which he set last year.
India also bagged two silver medals in the two-lap race, with Tintu Lukka clocking 2:03.59 secs in the women’s event, while Jinson Johnson time was 1:50.71 secs. Long jumper Neena Varakil also claimed silver with a jump of 6.46m. The national record holder in 100m sprint Dutee Chand clocked 11.59 secs to win bronze for the team.
Shot putter Om Prakash had to settle for bronze with a dis tance of 18.41m.