The 28th seed against a player ranked 451 in the world would not usually command a place on the prestigious Philippe-Chatrier Court at Roland Garros.

Sharapova tested positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open and her original two-year ban was reduced on appeal.

Maria Sharapova’s controversial return to competitive tennis was a winning one as she overcame Roberta Vinci 7-5 6-3 in the first round of the Stuttgart Open.

Not much fazes Roberta Vinci after 16 years on Tour, but the maelstrom swirling around her opening match in Stuttgart, Germany, against Maria Sharapova today will test the Italian’s vast experience.