Maria Sharapova made a triumphant return to the US Open
Maria Sharapova’s shocking 15-month doping ban ended back in April, but her return to the sport has been mired by injuries and disappointment, highlighted by her withdrawing from the Bank of the West Classic after just one match due to a forearm injury last month. For any rational observer, expectations for the world’s No. 146-ranked women’s player at this week’s US Open were tempered to say the least. On a Monday night with the vibe of a later-round affair, the five-time major champion showed off her big match pedigree and resoundingly silenced any of her doubters. Sharapova upset No. 2 seed Romanian Simona Halep 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the first round of the US Open and in her first Grand Slam appearance since the lengthy ban. The 30-year-old, who was able to compete in the final major of the year thanks to a wild-card exemption from the U.S. Tennis Association, moved well and show...