Sharapova, Kerber test skills in parking challenge

The winner of Stuttgart this week will drive off with a brand-new Porsche (thanks to the title sponsor), and a few players got a chance to test drive the luxury vehicle.

Former champions Angelique Kerber, Maria Sharapova and Laura Siegemund had the edge in the parking challenge, since they are more than a little familiar with Porsches.

Sharapova, having driven away with a Porsche in Stuttgart on three occasions, has plenty of experience with the luxury car given she's also sponsored by Porsche. But all of that didn't give her any advantages on the court as she drew sixth-seed Caroline Garcia in the first round and fell in three sets on Tuesday.

Sharapova put up a 1:52 time in the parking challenge, focusing heavily on safety first. World No. 4 Elina Svitolina also attempted the parking challenge, but at a slower pace of 3:07—though her soccer skills were impressive. She is making her debut in Stuttgart.

The Ukrainian is looking to assert herself as a major contender at Roland Garros and will begin her clay run against Marketa Vondrousova.

Kerber, a winner in Stuttgart in 2015 and 2016, did well in the parking challenge—as expected—with a 2:10 time. The competition won't get any easier on court as Kerber faces Petra Kvitova, who handily defeated the German on the same court on Sunday in Fed Cup semifinal action.

It was up to home favorite Laura Siegemund to steal the lead, stunning the field and baffling her opponents with a time of 1:18.

Siegemund, the defending champion, is making her comeback as a wildcard entry. It's the world No. 100's fourth event since tearing her ACL last May—a devastating injury she suffered before the paint on her new Porsche from Stuttgart could even dry. She got off to a great start, beating Barbora Strycova in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.