FORMER world number one Maria Sharapova, making a comeback after a 15-month doping ban, has been awarded a wildcard entry into the Toronto WTA tournament, Tennis Canada announced Tuesday.

The 30-year-old Russian star, a five-time Grand Slam champion, was refused a wildcard spot by French Open organizers but Sharapova has said she will play in Wimbledon qualifying, needing three wins to reach the main draw.

Sharapova will make her first appearance in Canada since 2014 at the Rogers Cup, to be played Aug. 7 to 13, as a hardcourt tuneup for the year’s final Grand Slam event, the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 28.

“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Canada,” Sharapova said. “I have some great memories of playing Toronto in the past and the tournament and the fans have always been so supportive. ”

(SD-Agencies)