After knocking out top seed Duan Ying-Ying at Surbiton on Thursday (9th June), Marina Melnikova said fellow Russian Maria Sharapova's two-year ban for doping was "not just about sport".
Former Grand Slam mixed doubles champion Melanie Oudin thought the fact that the substance Sharapova tested positive for, mildronate or meldonium, was illegal in the United States did not help the former world number one's cause.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Marina Melnikova (on Maria Sharapova's ban):

"Well, no-one knows exactly what's the lie, what is the truth but I think two years is a little bit too much, that's my opinion. Like, it wasn't, this medicine is not that strong and, I don't know, for me it's a little bit unfair and it's not just about sport there."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Marina Melnikova (on several Russians being banned for using meldonium):
"Yeah, I really don't know. I heard that there is another medicine is allowed and it's quite similar to this one so it's like Russian sportsmen, they were taking Russian one, and now it's not allowed and another one is allowed so it's just...I don't know really, I don't know. But of course, it's very sad because Sharapova, she's a great player and I think everyone likes to watch her game so it's sad that we will not have her for two years but I am sure she's going to come back."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Marina Melnikova (on whether Sharapova is someone she looks up to):

"I think many girls - not even girls - many players should look how she fights, should learn from her because we should learn from the best and she's the best."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Melanie Oudin (on Sharapova's ban):

"I mean, honestly I thought it was great that she held the press conference before it all came out, that she was the one that let everyone know. I respect her a lot for doing that but, yeah, I don't think...I think cheating is taking something that...you shouldn't be allowed to take anything that's prohibited and especially that it was illegal in the US. It's like, no Americans knew about that because it was illegal. The only place you get it was Russia so I feel like that itself makes it sound bad, like, you shouldn't be taking something like that."