Maria Sharapova is back playing Grand Slam tennis—and she let the world know with an impressive victory over No. 2 Simona Halep in the first round at the U.S. Open on Monday night. After nearly three hours on the court, Sharapova beat Halep 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to advance.
In front of a sellout crowd of 23,771 on Arthur Ashe Stadium, five-time major champion Sharapova was competing in her first match at major since serving a 15-month doping ban against the world's second best player who has had a heck of a summer. Armed with massive returns and powerful play, Sharapova dictated the tempo of the match.