The Russian suffered her first defeat since returning from a 15-month doping ban this week, having been sanctioned after testing positive for meldonium at last year’s Australian Open.

Sharapova needed to reach the final in Stuttgart to stand a chance of earning a place in French Open qualifying outright, but her hopes of competing in the Grand Slam will now rest with tournament organisers.

It is due to the Russian’s defeat meaning she will be outside the world’s top 200 players when the latest rankings are released on Monday.

A decision on whether she will be permitted a wildcard will be announced on May 16.

Sharapova had received a wildcard to compete in the Porsche Grand Prix, a move criticised by several players.

Her semi-final opponent Mladenovic had been one of the players to hit out at the Russian following her positive test last year, adding extra spice to their last four meeting.

It was Sharapova who made the brighter start, with the five-time Grand Slam champion taking the opening set 6-3.

Sharapova, a two-time winner in Stuttgart, was unable to capitalise on a break in the second set as Mladenovic eventually forced the match into a decider.

The Frenchwoman completed the turnaround in a tightly contested third set, winning the match 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Mladenovic will face Germany’s Laura Siegemund, after she surprised Romania’s Simona Halep.

Siegemund won the opening set 6-4, but appeared on course to have to play a decider when Halep broke in the second.

The German would hit back to ultimately emerge as a 6-4, 7-5 winner.