STUTTGART, Germany (Reuters) - Former world number one Maria Sharapova crashed out of the Stuttgart Grand Prix semi-final in her first event back after a 15-month doping suspension, losing to France's Kristina Mladenovic 3-6 7-5 6-4 on Saturday. Wildcard entrant Sharapova, a five-time grand-slam winner, squandered a 6-3 2-0 lead as Mladenovic clawed her way back into the game to win after two hours and 38 minutes. Sharapova had not lost a set in the previous three matches of her comeback this week. She sealed the first set when Mladenovic sent a crosscourt backhand into the net after just 38 minutes. But despite conceding 11 double faults, Mladenovic improved her baseline game, chasing Sharapova with powerful ground strokes across the court.

Source: The Star April 29, 2017 17:15 UTC