US Open 2017: Maria Sharapova beats Simona Halep

Summary

Wildcard Sharapova beats world number two Halep 6-4 4-6 6-3 in 2hrs & 44mins
First Grand Slam match for Sharapova since 15-month ban
GB's Konta beaten 4-6 6-3 6-4 by world number 78 Krunic
Edmund beats 32nd seed Haase 6-3 7-5 6-3
Qualifier Norrie through after Tursunov retires when trailing 7-6 (9-7) 6-1
Watson loses 6-4 6-4 to Cornet; Venus, Muguruza & Kvitova through

Live Reporting

Matt Davis

Postpublished at 04:00 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
Image source, Getty Images
How about that for day one.
You couldn't have asked for a more epic encounter than that.
Sharapova into round two, beating the world number two in her first Grand Slam in 19 months and the women's draw is wide open.
I'm off to sleep, but we have plenty on offer on day two.
Defending women's singles champion Angelique Kerber is in action alongside men's world number one Rafael Nadal, while Roger Federer features in the evening session.
You can read the report of Sharapova's win here. We'll see you later today!
Postpublished at 03:58 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
Asked about how she's managed to accumulate an 18-0 win record on Arthur Ashe Stadium in night matches, Sharapova adds: "It's primetime, baby. I love it."
'This girl is not going anywhere'published at 03:55 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
Sharapova 6-4 4-6 6-3 Halep
Maria Sharapova: "I thought this was another day, another match, but this was so much more, you never know what you will feel until you win match point.
"You sometimes wonder why you put in all the work and this is why.
"We respect each other so much, the hype was because of the quality of the matches we have played before.
"These are the opportunities you play for. Behind all these Swarovski crystal and dresses, this girl has a lot of grit and she is not gong anywhere."
Image source, Reuters
Postpublished at 03:50 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
You'd think she'd won the final.
Sharapova in tearspublished at 03:50 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
Sharapova 6-4 4-6 6-3 Halep
Sharapova drops to her knees, she then stands up and takes the applause on the Arthur Ashe court, she is overcome with emotion.
The comeback is on.
Halep walks straight off.
Sharapova sits in her chair, sobbing.
Game, set and match Sharapovapublished at 03:48 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
Sharapova 6-4 4-6 6-3 Halep
Halep goes long, Sharapova has done it.
Image source, Getty Images
Match pointpublished at 03:47 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
*Sharapova 6-4 4-6 5-3 Halep
Match point for Sharapova, the crowd are on their feet.
Image source, Getty Images
Sharapova saves break pointpublished at 03:45 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
*Sharapova 6-4 4-6 5-3 Halep
Halep nets a return. Deuce.
Break point for Haleppublished at 03:45 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
*Sharapova 6-4 4-6 5-3 Halep
Too good from Halep, she goes down the line and Sharapova can't reach it.
Big reaction from the world number two.
Break point.
Postpublished at 03:43 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
*Sharapova 6-4 4-6 5-3 Halep
30-30 as Sharapova sends a backhand winner down the line.
Two points away.
Postpublished at 03:43 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
*Sharapova 6-4 4-6 5-3 Halep
Halep sent running as she can only return into the net. 15-30.
The Romanian looks in a bit of discomfort out there.
Postpublished at 03:42 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
*Sharapova 6-4 4-6 5-3 Halep
Double fault by Sharapova. 0-30. We've been here before.
Postpublished at 03:41 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
*Sharapova 6-4 4-6 5-3 Halep
Halep wins the first point with a great backhand volley, 0-15.
Postpublished at 03:41 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
*Sharapova 6-4 4-6 5-3 Halep
Maria Sharapova to serve for a place and blow this women's draw apart.
Image source, Getty Images
Postpublished at 03:40 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent at Flushing Meadows
50-50 at best, I reckon, but I certainly wouldn't bet against Halep here.
Sharapova to serve for matchpublished at 03:39 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
Sharapova 6-4 4-6 5-3 Halep*
Halep holds.
If Sharapova is to win this game she is going to have to serve it out herself.
Sharapova a game away from the matchpublished at 03:35 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
Sharapova 6-4 4-6 5-2 Halep*
Sharapova's serve is on fire, Halep is not getting a look in.
When she does, Maria's groundstrokes are starting to look a bit lethargic.
A huge ace out wide wins the game.
One game away now.
Postpublished at 03:32 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
Almost two and a half hours played now.
Postpublished at 03:31 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
*Sharapova 6-4 4-6 4-2 Halep
Simple hold for Halep.
Postpublished at 03:30 British Summer Time 29 August 2017
Sharapova 6-4 4-6 4-1 Halep*
Sharapova holds again, her last point ricocheting of the top of the net and landing on Halep's side of the court.
Two games away now for Sharapova.
Halep sits in her chair at the changeover, looking for some inspiration.
Image source, Getty Images