No question that rivals have started fearing me once again: Sharapova

world number one and five-time major winner pulled off a 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-1 win over Timea Babos of Hungary.
It was her second three-set match, having seen off world number two Simona Halep on Monday in what was her first Grand Slam match since being hit with a 15-month doping ban.
“I think with the way that I played Monday night, I don`t think there are any more questions,” said the 30-year-old when pushed on whether her spot in the tournament was justified.
The 2006 champion, and guaranteed arena-filler, needed a wild card to play in New York after her prolonged absence from the sport had left her with a world ranking of 146.
It was a decision widely criticized with many insisting she should work her way back into the main draw and not be given a helping hand.
“I definitely feel the respect from the athletes,” Sharapova insisted.
“Certainly when I play against them, in terms of the level they play. That`s important to me. I think from a respect level, when you`re able to respect your rivals and compatriots, that`s really important, and I feel that.”
“I`ve also had an amazing reaction from fans since I`ve been back, and that`s been very special. I felt it while I was away. I felt it in a real presence since I`ve been back. It`s a very special feeling.”
But the questions over the ban, imposed when she tested positive for meldonium at the Australian Open in 2016, still keep coming.
After her win over Babos, she was asked how many times she had been drug-tested this year.
“At the end of the year, the ITF usually produce those numbers,” she fired back.
Sharapova`s return was still splitting fellow players on Wednesday even as her marketing appeal was evident in playing back-to-back matches on the showpiece Arthur Ashe stadium.