Result: Maria Sharapova ends title wait with victory in Tianjin Open final

Result: Sharapova ends title wait at Tianjin Open
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Maria Sharapova wins her first WTA title since returning from a drugs ban thanks to a straight-sets victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the 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.

Russia's Maria Sharapova celebrates after beating Italy's Flavia Pennetta during their women's singles round robin tennis match at the WTA Finals in Singapore on October 29, 2015
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