Maria Sharapova ends title wait with victory in Tianjin Open final

Maria Sharapova has won her first title since returning from a drugs ban thanks to her defeat of Aryna Sabalenka in the Tianjin Open final.

The five-time Grand Slam champion, a tournament wildcard, overcame the Belarusian teenager 7-5 7-6(8) in a straight-sets victory on Sunday.

Sharapova was playing in her seventh event since returning to action in April after a 15-month suspension for the use of banned substance meldonium.

The former world number one had to come from 4-1 down in both sets and then failed to serve out the victory in the second set, before needing four match points to win a lengthy tie-break.

Victory has given Sharapova her first WTA title since the 2015 Italian Open and a 36th tour title in total.