Win puts Sharapova in Wimbledon qualifying

Three tournaments into her return from a 15-month doping ban, Maria Sharapova has already gained enough rankings points to enter qualifying for Wimbledon.

The five-time Grand Slam winner took advantage of another wildcard and overcame a shaky opening set to defeat 58th-ranked Christina McHale 6-4 6-2 in the first round of the Italian Open on Monday.

The win earned Sharapova enough points to enter the top 200 of the rankings and earn at least a spot in qualifying at the All England Club.

“Winning matches will get me places, so if that’s where it got me today, then I will take it,” said Sharapova, who entered this week at No. 211.

Sharapova – who has never before contested the Wimbledon qualifying event – was apparently unaware of this outcome when a reporter raised it with her in her post-match press conference in Rome.

“I don’t know how the Wimbledon qualifying works,” she laughed, “or the rankings. I’m not really aware of that.”

Pressed further on the topic, Sharapova added: “I think maybe you guys assume that I know these things, but I genuinely want to take care of each and every single week and every single match as a priority for me. That’s how I face it.”

Sharapova will learn on Tuesday if she will be granted a wildcard for the French Open this month, with Roland Garros organisers planning an announcement on Facebook.

“I won’t be following it live. I will be focused on my match, as I’m playing tomorrow,” Sharapova said, adding that she would happily accept a qualifying wildcard. “Nothing is a disappointment after being away from the game for 15 months.”