MOSCOW: The Russian Tennis Federation has included Maria Sharapova among the four players selected for the women’s singles tournament at the Rio Olympics – despite her current suspension from the sport.

The former world No.1, provisonally suspended for having tested positive for meldonium at the last Australian Open, would team up with Svetlana Kuznetsova, Anastasia Pavliuchenkova and Darya Kasatkina.

Despite the Russians’ copnfidence,. Sharapova’s participation remains in doubt with the International Tennis Federation still not having confirmed when her case would be reviewed by its independent commission.

#######