DHAKA: Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova will miss the Rio Olympics after her doping appeal was postponed until September by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

She was given a two-year suspension in June after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium, BBC reports on Monday (July 11).

Sharapova has appealed to Cas but both the 29-year-old Russian and the International Tennis Federation need more time to prepare their cases.

The Rio Olympics will start on 5 August.

‘Maria Sharapova and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have agreed to defer the Cas decision until September 2016,’ said a statement.

‘A decision is expected to be issued by 19 September 2016.’

Sharapova tested positive for meldonium at the Australian Open in January.

BDST: 1900 HRS, July 11, 2016
SAS/AKA