STUTTGART, Germany — The shock of blond hair was back. The menacing groundstrokes were back, likewise the breathy, rising shriek accompanying each monster return.
In one of the most anticipated and contentious comebacks in women’s tennis, Maria Sharapova returned to the court Wednesday, the day her 15-month doping suspension expired, and defeated Roberta Vinci, 7-5 6-3, in the first round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
Palpably excited spectators and journalists converged on the Porsche Arena to watch Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion, come back from an early deficit to claim a decisive victory over the 36th-ranked Vinci.