Sharapova targets April return after ban reduced

Russian star hails CAS verdict which cut her suspension by nine months

Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova hailed the reduction of her two-year doping ban on Tuesday as one of the "happiest days" of her life, immediately targeting a return to action in April 2017.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) cut Sharapova's ban to 15 months, saying she was not an "intentional doper", after the 29-year-old tested positive for the banned medication meldonium during January's Australian Open - throwing her glittering, money-spinning career into serious jeopardy.