China Open testing Maria Sharapova’s progress since doping ban as world number two Simona Halep awaits
The Russian overcomes compatriot Ekaterina Makarova in the second round and is looking forward to another ‘emotional’ clash with the Romanian
Maria Sharapova said that her third-round China Open clash with world number two Simona Halep on Wednesday will help the Russian gauge her progress since returning from a 15-month doping ban.
The former number one, on the comeback trail since April following her ban for taking meldonium, had to dig deep as she defeated compatriot Ekaterina Makarova over three sets in the second round.
Sharapova, a lowly 104 in the world and on a wild card at the China Open, has yet to win a tournament since returning to tennis.
The five-time grand slam champion said she had endured “a few ups and downs” in seeing off Makarova 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.
But the 30-year-old is eagerly awaiting her showdown with the Romanian Halep: “We know each other’s games very well, that’s no secret. They’ve always been very challenging, tough, competitive, emotional.”
Sharapova, a crowd favourite in Beijing, added: “But I love the challenge of playing against someone that’s number two in the world. She’s a great player, she’s had a great year.