Maria Sharapova wins first title since return from doping ban with victory in China

Sharapova trailed world number 102 Aryna Sabalenka 4-1 and 5-1 in the first and second sets but the Russian fought back to claim her first title in 29 months

Maria Sharapova triumphed to take her first title since her return (AFP)

Maria Sharapova has clinched her first WTA title since returning from a drugs ban after beating Aryna Sabalenka to win the Tianjin Open.

The five-time grand slam champion, a tournament wildcard, overcame Belarusian teenager Sabalenka 7-5 7-6 (10/8) in a straight-sets victory on Sunday.

Sharapova, who made her comeback in April, is celebrating her first title since she won the Italian Open back in May 2015.


 It is Sharapova's first tournament win in 29 months 
 (Getty)

Sharapova trailed world number 102 Sabalenka 4-1 and 5-1 in the first and second sets. But the 30-year-old Russian, who did not drop a set en route to Sunday's final, fought back on each occasion to claim her first title in 29 months.

Sharapova served a 15-month ban after she tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.

The former world number one was denied a wild card for the French Open, before missing Wimbledon through injury. She was granted a wild card for the US Open and reached the fourth round before losing to Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova.