Maria Sharapova back on court just nine hours after doping ban ends as she prepares for Roberta Vinci clash

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Paul Newman26 April 2017

Barely nine hours after the end of her 15-month ban, Maria Sharapova walked out on court for her first practice session at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Just a handful of photographers and reporters watched as the Russian prepared for her opening match tonight against Roberta Vinci.

Sharapova, who is returning after her positive drugs test at last year’s Australian Open, traded blows in an almost empty Porsche Arena with Alex Kuznetsov, a former world No 120 who is now her hitting partner.

Until Wednesday morning Sharapova had been banned from tournament premises and had practised at a club in the Stuttgart suburbs.

Sharapova’s customary shrieks echoed around the stadium as Markus Gunthardt, the tournament director, took photographs before shaking hands with her at the end. Gunthardt granted Sharapova a wild card, which has been criticised by some of her fellow players.

Maria Sharapova - In pictures

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