Maria Sharapova proves her power again

Cairo 31 August 2017 – At no. 164, Maria Sharapova returns back after a doping suspension after after receiving a wild card, as she has won all seven meetings against Halep.

The 2006 US Open champion was given a tricky draw.

And it took her more than three hours to prevail after three thrilling sets: 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

Sharapova’s performance was thrilling in the first set, rattling 18 forehand winners.

The Russian looked to be cruising to a straight-sets win after opening up a 4-1 lead in the second set.

“I thought this was another day, another match, but this was so much more. You never know what you will feel until you win a match point,” Sharapova told The Guardian.

Sharapova’s blistering attack, coupled with her rock-solid defense, proved hard at times for Halep.

But Halep grabbed the second set after Sharapova failed to convert any of her four break-point opportunities.

Sharapova upped her levels again for the third seet, as she looked unstoppable with her backhand doing a lot of the damage.

After a deuce service game, Sharapova clinched the match when Halep's backhand drifted long.

Sharapova collapsed to her knees and let out her emotions in the wake of the victory.

She had beaten Halep in all six times they played; this time, however, came in as the firm underdog played just four tournaments since the end of her 15-month doping ban in April.

Injuries have been her nemesis, and she had managed only one match in more than three months.

But from the start, it was clear Sharapova was fit and able to write headlines on the court at last.