Maria Sharapova fights to first title since drugs ban in front of adoring fans at Tianjin Open
The Russian digs deep to see off teenager Aryna Sabalenka in two tough sets and land her first tournament win in over two years
Five-time grand slam winner Maria Sharapova was made to fight by teenager Aryna Sabalenka at the Tianjin Open on Sunday before winning her first title since her 15-month doping ban.
The former world number one, who returned to action in April, came from behind in both sets and needed four championship points in the tiebreaker before beating the 19-year-old 7-5, 7-6 (10-8).
Sharapova clasped her hands to her chest in delight as she absorbed the feeling of winning her 36th tour title and first in more than two years since the 2015 Italian Open.
Sharapova, 30, was contesting the seventh tournament of what has been an injury plagued and controversial comeback since testing positive for the banned substance meldonium in early 2016.
She exchanged 11 breaks of serve with the Belarusian, who is ranked 102 in the world and has yet to win a WTA trophy, before finally clinching it in the tiebreaker when the teenager put a forehand return long.
In a tight final of high-decibel shrieking, Sabalenka was broken in the opening game but any expectations that she would roll over quickly dissolved when she won four games in a row to go 4-1 up.