Sharapova fights hard to make winning return after injury

Sharapova fights hard to make winning return after injury

 WARSAW, May 19 -- Former world number one Maria Sharapova made a
successful comeback to women's singles with a hard fought 6-1, 6-7(6), 6-3
victory over Italian Tathiana Garbin in the first round of the Warsaw Open on
Monday.



Sharapova had not played singles since last August because of a long-time
shoulder injury although she made a brief return to competition in



the doubles at Indian Wells in March, losing in the first round.



The Russian started strongly, taking opening set at 6-1 and leading 4-0 in the
second, but the gritty Italian came back strong to steal the tiebreak at 8-6.



Garbin was still in control of her game at the start of the decider, breaking
again to take a 3-1



lead. Sharapova finally cooled down to take the match at 6-3.