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
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Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on 5 live sports extra at Flushing Meadows
Don't go anywhere. Maria is looking at her box, shaking her head. This is where Halep has an opportunity to get into this match and test Sharapova.
Sharapova 6-4 4-3 Halep*
The unforced errors creep back into Sharapova's game and coupled with some pressure from Halep, who looks refocused, she is soon at 0-30.
It's 0-40 as the Russian goes long with a return and again she is long and Halep breaks back.
Image source, Getty Images#bbctennis
Jeffrey Samuel: Incredible hitting from both Sharapova and Halep.
Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on 5 live sports extra at Flushing Meadows
Is Halep going to mount a comeback and test the fitness of Sharapova? These are eight of the toughest points to win - you want to be playing the world number 200, not the number two.
*Sharapova 6-4 4-2 Halep
Can Halep respond?
Sharapova's backhand winner is cheered wildly by the New York crowd as the game goes to 30-30.
Another winner and she has a 13th break point in the match.
Halep saves it and wins the game and it seems to have sparked the Romanian into life.
Image source, Getty ImagesSharapova 6-4 4-1 Halep*
Sharapova gets a standing ovation as she reaches for a backhand and Halep can only return into the net.
The crowd are fired up, they sense a win for the Russian now that would put her firmly back on the radar.
But a backhand into the net, her 32nd unforced error, gives Halep an unexpected break point.
It's quickly back to deuce with a 107mph serve, followed by an ace, and then a 37th winner.
Break consolidated.
Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on 5 live sports extra at Flushing Meadows
Halep is being stretched out, overpowered and not really getting a chance to dictate the points. Simona is slapping her thigh and is not happy with herself.
*Sharapova 6-4 3-1 Halep
Simona Halep is having to reach for every return as Sharapova races to a 0-30 lead, but choose the wrong time for a drop shot as Halep gets a foothold in the game.
Another forehand winner gives Maria another break point and Halep makes an error as Sharapova goes 3-1 up in the second.
Image source, Getty ImagesSharapova 6-4 2-1 Halep*
Sharapova makes her fourth double fault of the match, but manages to hold with ease.
Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on 5 live sports extra at Flushing Meadows
Maria Sharapova's rosy cheeks a little bit winded after those last few tough points.
*Sharapova 6-4 1-1 Halep
Simona Halep's body language is not good.
The world number two needs to make something happen here.
But from 15-40 down, she brings its back to deuce and then holds to level at 1-1.
Image source, AFPSharapova 6-4 1-0 Halep*
The longer the match goes on, the better Sharapova is getting.
She holds easily at the begining of the second set.
Image source, AFPBizarre stats from that first set that really tell the tale of the match so far.
Sharapova's winners 28, unforced errors 25.
Halep win percentage on second serve - 32%.
Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on 5 live sports extra at Flushing Meadows
Halep motioned to her box that she is not extending her arm and that cost her the set. Maria played some tight tennis but Halep wasn't able to take advantage because Sharapova was hitting so many winners off the short second serve.
*Sharapova 6-4 Halep
Simona Halep is handing points to Sharapova, leaving her returns too short and struggling with her service game.
If the Russian could cut out the errors she would be walking this match.
Sharapova gets a look at set point after a Halep double fault.
Another poor Halep second serve is slammed home as Sharapova takes the first set.
Incredible stuff.
Image source, Getty ImagesSharapova 5-4 Halep*
Sharapova's serve is vulnerable but she is still finding the winners and holds to move a game away from the first set.
Image source, AFPJeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on 5 live sports extra at Flushing Meadows
Any time Halep doesn't get the ball deep, Sharapova is making her pay.
*Sharapova 4-4 Halep
Halep's second serve is getting destroyed by Sharapova, she has only won 29% of points on it.
Deuce again on the Halep serve, but the Romanian snaps the run of breaks in the game and holds to level at 4-4.
That was an important hold and Halep knows it, celebrating with a fist pump.
Image source, ReutersJeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on 5 live sports extra at Flushing Meadows
Maria Sharapova doesn't look like she is happy with the grips on her racquet. You don't give her 99%. Give her 110% or go home baby.
Sharapova 4-3 Halep*
Maria Sharapova is going for her shots here, being aggressive, but not always with the right result.
She has hit 20 winners, but also 19 unforced errors.
Halep has been on the back foot is is playing very defensively, keeping her winners count down to five.
Sharapova gets her first ace in the game, but also serves another double fault to hand Halep a second break point of the game which she takes with another error by Sharapova.
A fourth succesive break.
Can anyone hold their serve?