Maria Sharapova

The Russian shot to international fame as a giggly 17-year-old Wimbledon winner in 2004, the third youngest player to conquer the All England Club’s famous grass courts

The American, seeded 16, is gunning to match Margaret Court’s record of singles majors and claim an eighth Australian Open crown

Williams won her 23rd title, and seventh at Melbourne Park, while eight weeks pregnant two years ago

Maria Sharapova was trying to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2012

Patty Schnyder, the oldest ever player to make the main draw of a Grand Slam via qualifying, was outgunned by ​Maria Sharapova

Williams races into her 13th Wimbledon quarter-final after the seven-time champion thrashed Rodina 6-2, 6-2 in a Centre Court masterclass

Sharapova, playing Wimbledon for the first time in three years, gave up the match on her 11th double fault

The WTA Tour does not have protected seedings for players who return from absences

The tennis star made the difficult announcement on Monday

The International Tennis Federation banned the tennis champion for two years after she tested positive for banned drug meldonium earlier this year.

Maria Sharapova will advance to the semifinals in the Australian Open, but Rafael Nadal’s hopes have been dashed by Roger Federer’s conquerer.

Maria Sharapova has never been taken to three sets in a showpiece match until she ran into a tireless Romanian named Simona Halep on Saturday.

Maria Sharapova won her second French Open title in three years on Saturday, defeating Romania’s Simona Halep 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 in a gripping final.

Maria Sharapova has crashed out of the Australian Open as Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Victoria Azarenka kept their title bids intact.

Third seen Maria Sharapova has made it through a major scare to stay alive in the Australian Open, battling Italy’s Karin Knapp in intense heat.