Maria Sharapova during a promotional event at the Colosseum in Rome ahead of the Italian Open. The 30-year-old beat Christina McHale 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the Italian Open on Monday to guarantee herself a spot in the Wimbledon qualifying tournament. Since her return in April, Sharapova has received wildcard entries to the Stuttgart, Madrid and Italian Opens. So that feeling ultimately stays inside of you... and you know what you work for," Sharapova told reporters. As a Grand Slam event, the French Open is perhaps less in need of extra publicity than a regular tour event.

Source: Bangkok Post May 17, 2017 00:11 UTC