Maria Sharapova looks to be in fighting form ahead of her comeback in Stuttgart today.

The 30-year-old Sharapova plays 34-year-old Roberta Vinci today in her comeback match from a 15-month doping ban.

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Hours after her drug suspension was lifted, Sharapova hit the Stuttgart red clay with coach Sven Groeneveld Sven Groeneveld and hitting partner Alex Kuznetov about 9:15 a.m. local time.



It was the three-time former Stuttgart champion's first hit on the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix red clay since arriving in Germany.

Because Sharapova's suspension ended at midnight, she was not allowed to use the tournament site to train until after her suspension officially ended. Sharapova had been training at a local club in Stuttgart.

Today's opening-round clash with Vinci is Sharapova's first match since she bowed to Serena Williams in the 2016 Australian Open quarterfinals. Following that match, the former No. 1 tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.

Sharapova was initially hit with a two-year ban, but appealed that ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, winning a reduced suspension of 15 months.









Photo credit: Porsche Tennis Grand Prix