Maria Sharapova Ascends into the Top 60

Maria Sharapova moved into the top 60 of the WTA rankings after winning her first title in more than two years. Sharapova defeated Aryna Sablaenka in straight sets (7-5, 7-6) to win the Tianjin open this week. Sharapova has struggled, in her much anticipated and controversial return to professional tennis. Many have criticised the WTA for awarding wild cards to a player returning from a drug abuse ban. This has proved to be a huge mental obstacle, in the path of Maria Sharapova.

Her return has been patchy and marred with injuries. A shoulder injury ruled her out of the grass court seasons. She was also forced to withdraw from Rome and Stanford, citing a thigh and shoulder injury. Winning Tianjin is a sliver of light in a dark tunnel as she heads into the latter part of 2017.

Maria Sharapova to return to Moscow

The Russian returns to Moscow, Russia next week after almost a decade of absence. The Kremlin Cup tournament organisers announced on Friday that the five-time Grand Slam champion has accepted a wildcard invitation.

Maria Sharapova spoke on her victory at Tianjin- ‘It is a special title, a special victory. It has been a couple of years since I have held the winner’s trophy. It is a great feeling, a team effort.’ She also added- ‘You have to appreciate those moments, never take them for granted. ‘I am really looking forward to playing in my home country as the last event of the year [at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow]. ‘Obviously coming there with the title already means a lot, but I do really want to finish strong, even though it is a very fast turnaround, and I don’t remember the last time that I played three events in a row. But I will give it everything I have got and I know I have so many amazing fans there.’

Sharapova has a good chance of finishing her year within the top 50, provided she keeps up her current level in the next couple of tournaments.