Sharapova appeals to CAS in doping case; ruling by July 18
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016 file photo, Maria Sharapova of Russia loses a point to Serena Williams of the United States during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia. Maria Sharapova has appealed her two-year doping ban, Tuesday June 14, 2016, to the highest court in sports, seeking a ruling ahead of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File) (The Associated Press)
Maria Sharapova has appealed her two-year doping ban to the highest court in sports, seeking a ruling ahead of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport says Sharapova is seeking to overturn or reduce the suspension imposed by the International Tennis Federation last week after the Russian tested positive for meldonium at the Australian Open in January.
CAS says both sides agreed to an "expedited procedure" and the court would issue its ruling by July 18. That would mean that, if the suspension is thrown out, Sharapova could compete at the Rio Games.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CAS says it hasn't decided whether to hold a hearing or not.