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Maria Sharapova survives opening round match at China Open

By Harry Floyd

BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 30: Maria Sharapova of Russia returns a shot against Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia during their first round match on day one of the 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on September 30, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 30: Maria Sharapova of Russia returns a shot against Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia during their first round match on day one of the 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on September 30, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images) /
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Maria Sharapova is a former champion at the China Open in Beijing, China. She survives her opening round match at the tournament.

Maria Sharapova opens play at the 2017 China Open in Beijing, China with a win.

She defeats Anastasija Sevastova in a difficult three-set marathon at the WTA Tour event. Sharapova takes the match, winning 7-6 (3), 5-7, 7-6 (7).

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The former world No. 1 has seen limited action so far on the 2017 WTA Tour. After returning from a suspension due to her use of the banned substance meldonium, Sharapova has stirred controversy throughout the sport.

A five-time Grand Slam singles winner, Maria Sharapova is looking for redemption on the court.

Her history at the China Open has proven successful. If there’s any tournament where she can make a deep run, this might be it.

In four of her previous six appearances at the WTA Tour event, Sharapova has reached at least the semifinals. She is also the 2014 champion at the China open. At the 2017 US Open, the Russian tennis star was knocked out in the fourth round by Sevastova. While she had a solid run at the Grand Slam event, Sharapova fell apart in the final two sets against Sevastova. It is only fitting that the two face one another in the former world No. 1’s next match.

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Now, Maria Sharapova has her revenge over the Latvian tennis player.

Up next for the former world No. 1 is the winner of Jennifer Brady and Ekaterina Makarova. The top seed this week is current world No. 1 Garbine Muguruza. She remains the favorite and is in action tomorrow at the tournament. Second seed Simona Halep is also looking to make a run this week. She defeats American Alison Riske in her opening round match. Halep takes the match in three sets, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.

Stay tuned to see how Maria Sharapova and others fare at the 2017 China Open.

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