The 30-year-old Russian, a three-times victor on Stuttgart's clay courts, received a controversial wild card for the German tournament, having had no ranking points after more than a year out following her suspension.
After taking off her training jacket, she immediately began hitting balls from the service line, and later worked through usual practice routines.
"It does bug me, and you know it's not just me". I went to school for a little bit, I was working a little bit growing my business.
"I felt I had to grow as a person and I felt I had to step up and do it". In fact, it looks like she has now banned Sharapova from her childhood idol list completely.
After receiving a mixed, lukewarm welcome from the crowd, Sharapova struggled at first, as Vinci broke the Russian in the second game to take a 2-0 lead in the first set. Awaiting Sharapova in the round of 16 is fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova.
"It's the best feeling in the world", Sharapova said. "This has been a stage of mine since I was a young girl, and to know that I'd be walking back on it was really special".
After a nervy start, Sharapova served strongly to claim the straight sets victory against Vinci, a player who has the distinction of having won all four Grand Slams in a doubles pairing, something Sharpova has acheived as a singles player.
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"The only guarantee I gave her is to call her beforehand", Guidicelli said. The last player to speak about her is the Canadian player Eugenie Bouchard.
New Zealand tennis number one Marina Erakovic has joined the chorus of players opposed to Maria Sharapova's free passage back into top level tennis.
"She's a cheater and so, to me, I don't think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play that sport again", Bouchard told TRT World.
Several players, including Vinci, have criticized the invitation for a player who has been caught doping. The message that she said it sends is that if you cheat, you will be welcomed back with open arms. I think I was very much in the moment today.
There were cheers for the Russian in the court, along with some flags of her country, showing support towards the former world number one. "I have to get through the matches and still have to win them and that's my job".
That decision has been defended by WTA chief Steve Simon, who said it was in keeping with how former dopers were treated in other sports.
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