Seriously, Maria, it has to be said. Well done. Well done. Would anyone ever have guessed that she'd make her comeback at a Slam on her least favourite surface after 10 months out and actually improve on her performance from last year? That's pretty fucking amazing, actually.
Fan or not, you'd have to have a heart of absolute stone not to appreciate what Maria Sharapova's been through in the last year or so, and not to be able to admire her comeback at Roland Garros. Even if she did run out of steam so completely today that Domi didn't have to do much other than keep the ball in play to guarantee herself an emphatic win.
A lot of people might be disappointed that she lost so decisively to someone she's always beaten in the past, but I say that's crap. Masha had no business getting past the second round here, but she did, and then she just kept going... and going... and going. Speaking as someone who's not a fan, and really does not buy into the "tennis needs Maria Sharapova" argument, I still can't help but be moved by what she did here.
So, congratulations, Maria. And welcome back.
