Maria Sharapova grabbed the headlines back in March of last year after admitting to taking meldonium during the 2016 Australian Open.The five-time Grand Slam winner was then hit with a two-year ban three months later, before the International Tennis Federation reduced it to 15 months in October after she appealed the original punishment.This week saw her suspension come to an end, but her return has not gone down well with the public and fellow tennis players.Sharapova was awarded the chance to join the WTA Tour in Stuttgart when her ban reached its conclusion, despite the tournament starting two days before.World number 20 Barbora Strycova claimed that she doesn’t ‘think anyone is her friend on the tour’ whilst Caroline Wozniacki labelled the wildcard decision as ‘disrespectful.’Eugenie Bouchard was the latest to have her say, claiming that Sharapova was ‘a cheater’ and that ‘a cheater in any sport should not be allowed to play again.’So it’s safe to say the Russian has been hit with heavy criticism of late, however, it looks like she has risen above it after claiming three scalps since her return on Wednesday.First up was Italian Roberta Vinci, of which Sharapova came out on top 7-5, 6-3 in the opening round of the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart.This came 24 hours before she booked her place into the quarter finals following her second win in as many days, this time over fellow Russian Kristina Mladenovic 7-5, 6-1.Friday saw the 30-year-old maintain her winning streak after a straight sets victory of 6-3, 6-4 against Estonian Anett Kontaveit, meaning she is now one match away from the final.Inevitably, it seems that drugs ban is still the talking point surrounding Sharapova’s return and that was definitely the case after her third consecutive win when Mike Dickson of the Daily Mail had something to ask the 30-year-old.The reporter asked whether her team was upset when she didn’t tell them about her drug taking and judging by her reaction, the semi-finalist wasn’t best pleased.You can see the video below.

Following the question, an anxious Sharapova dodged it by claiming that it was ‘such an inappropriate question’ and quickly asked for a last question and it to be asked by someone else.

So it seems the Russian was a little angry with Dickson’s question, but on the bright side, she can put her inconveniences behind her and no matter what criticism or questions are thrown in her direction, it won’t take away the fact she is seemingly back to her best with a semi-final on the horizon.