Elena Rybakina put on a brilliant performance to defeat favourite Aryna Sabalenka 64, 46, 64 and lift her first Australian Open trophy.
The 30-year-old Russian, who made her comeback last month after serving a suspension following a positive test for heart drug meldonium at last year's Australian Open, had hoped for a favour from the French Tennis Federation (FFT) because her ranking, currently 211, does not warrant an automatic place.
Factbox on 2008 Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova.
Hollywood royalty met tennis royalty at the Wimbledon women's final.
Aryna Sabalenka will aim to take a huge stride towards a third Australian Open title in four years when the Belarusian top seed clashes with Ukraine's Elina Svitolina on Thursday in a semi-final simmering with geopolitical tension.
Naomi Osaka battled past Romania's Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in the Australian Open second round. Later, Osaka apologised at her press conference, calling her on-court comments 'disrespectful'.
Take a look at the profile of Maria Sharapova who told a news conference on Monday she failed a drugs test.
Serena Williams continued her reign on the Met Gala steps.
Sinner, Alcaraz will keep tennis' flag flying: Shastri
IMAGES from the Australian Open matches played at Melbourne Park in Melbourne on Thursday.
In December, Sharapova and British businessman Alexander Gilkes revealed that they were engaged.
The Maria Sharapova-Serena Williams selfie during the Moncler Genius fashion show in London has gone viral.
Maria Sharapova quit tennis earlier this year, but you can't keep her out of the spotlight.
The five-time Grand Slam champion is known for her style and never misses a chance to make a fashion statement.
Sharapova has dated fellow tennis player Grigor Dimitrov in the past. She was engaged to a Slovenian basketball player in 2011 before ending the engagement a year later.
Earlier, she had filed a complaint in a Gurugram court against M/S Realtech Development and Infrastructure (INDIA) Pvt. Ltd, other developers, Sharapova and Schumacher for duping her of around Rs 80 lakh.
Her ranking has dropped to number 6 in the WTA ranking charts after losing the Australian Open semi-final to Serena Williams last week but that hasn't dimmed the light in the Russian player's heart.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley confirmed on Wednesday that the 2008 champion will receive a wildcard entry into the main singles draw for the tournament, which starts in Melbourne on January 20.
The 31-year-old Russian, who won her last Grand Slam title at the 2014 French Open, has no plans to retire.
A sportspersons career only lasts a while. As tennis and fashion is always linked therefore most of the players switch their rackets for designer pens.
Gauff split from coach Brad Gilbert and flipped the script weeks later, however, winning her second WTA 1000 title last month at the China Open before reaching the Wuhan Open semis.
Maria Sharapova's fellow players described her as inspirational and praised her fighting spirit following the Russian's announcement of her retirement from tennis at the age of 32 on Wednesday. The injury-plagued Sharapova, renowned for her never-say-die approach to the sport despite regularly being hampered by shoulder problems, won five Grand Slam titles.
Former champions Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova sparkled under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights to end a steamy first day that proved more than a little stressful for several of the US Open favourites on Monday.
If Maria Sharapova doesn't know who is Sachin Tendulkar, it's but OBVIO that she thinks cricket is a chirping insect outside her window. But that doesn't mean she can't learn. We suggest a few ways our Team India studs can introduce themselves to the iconic tennis star. Here we go:
If Maria Sharapova doesn't know who is Sachin Tendulkar, it's but OBVIO that she thinks cricket is a chirping insect outside her window. But that doesn't mean she can't learn. We suggest a few ways our Team India studs can introduce themselves to the iconic tennis star. Here we go:
Russia's former World No 1 Maria Sharapova said she could not wait to return to tennis in April after her drugs ban was reduced to 15 months on Tuesday.
Tennis sensation Maria Sharapova yet again rules the Forbes' list of highest-paid female athletes.
The glittering career of Russian former World No 1 Maria Sharapova was in tatters after she was given a two-year ban by the International Tennis Federation. Check out the high points in her career...
Damian Torrie held up a sign and yelled out "Marry me Maria Sharapova?" during her first match, which encouraged a chorus of laughs around Pat Rafter Arena, News.com.au reported.
Twice champion Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the French Open after failing to recover fully from shoulder surgery.
Maria Sharapova shook off some rust after injury and a 15-month doping ban to beat Jennifer Brady in her first match in the United States in more than two years on Monday at the Stanford Classic.
Sharapova, the 2006 champion, had never lost a night session match in New York prior to her first Grand Slam meeting with Suarez Navarro.
Five-times Grand Slam champion Sharapova became an ambassador for the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in 2007, but was dropped in March after admitting she had used the banned substance meldonium.
Naomi Osaka produced a commanding performance to knock out third seed Coco Gauff.
Williams is arguably the greatest female athlete, but sponsors have often avoided the 21-time Grand Slam singles champion.
Sharapova was granted a wildcard entry to the last Grand Slam of the season but received a tough first-round draw in the shape of Romanian Halep.
"We experienced wonderful moments together. I wish her much happiness and success in life and in tennis.
Former world number one Maria Sharapova has been invited to play at the Madrid Open in May, which takes place less than two weeks after her 15-month doping ban expires, tournament organisers said on Wednesday.
Russian teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva continued her giant-slaying exploits at the Dubai Tennis Championships by upsetting Kazakhstani sixth seed Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals.
Maria Sharapova, David Beckham, Christina Hendricks were among the hotsteppers who showed up at the ongoing New York Fashion Week.
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