In the most spectacular first-round WTA encounter on Day 1 of the US Open, wildcard Maria Sharapova ousted world No.2 Simona Halep 6-4 4-6 6-3 during the night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium, continuing the despair of the Romanian who had missed four chances to grab the No.1 ranking in recent months and extending the head-to-head record against her to 7-0.
Facing a Top 10 player for the first time since her comeback from doping suspension, Sharapova opened the match with a 3-1 lead, but her break turned out to be just the first in a string of four and Halep eventually ended the break fest by holding serve for 4-all.