US Open 2017: Sparkling Maria Sharapova proves she is still box office

Sharapova has never been one to shy away from the spotlight. In her absence from tennis due to a ban for a doping infraction, she wrote an autobiography – released to coincide with her return to the US Open, where she is a two-time former champion – and she has been revelling in the publicity circuit.

She’s on the front of glossy magazines and serious newspapers alike, as well as doing the rounds on TV talk shows – and she’s managed to fit in enough time to rehab an arm injury sustained at the start of the summer and get in enough practise to look like a contender at the final Grand Slam of the year.

The 30-year-old was in impressive form as she knocked second seed Simona Halep out in the first round, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, stretching her unbeaten run in the evening session on Arthur Ashe Stadium to 18-0.

The Russian thinks she knows why her form in that time slot is so good, too.

"It's prime time, baby!" she laughed in her interview after her triumph.

Although obviously emotional about her Grand Slam comeback – the French Open refused her a wildcard and she had to withdraw from Wimbledon qualifying due to injury – Sharapova didn’t forget to direct attention to her crystal-embellished lace outfit, nor its creators.

"Behind the Swarovski crystals, this girl has grit,” she said after the match.

She was welcomed back to Flushing Meadows by a delighted crowd; though her colleagues on tour have expressed mixed feelings about the length of her ban and the award of a wildcard, there were no such conflicts in the stands. Her fans have been waiting for over a year to see her back with a racquet in her hand; and she put on a real performance for them as she once again stepped onto the stage.

Tournament organisers too will be hoping that this resurgence continues - wherever she goes, interest from fans and media will follow.

Regardless of the controversy she provokes, there can be no denying that Sharapova is top-quality box office.