Sharapova withdraws from China Open

WUHAN (CHINA): Maria Sharapova Wednesday announced her withdrawal from next week’s China Open in Beijing, citing a left forearm injury that forced her to retire from the Wuhan Open two days earlier.

The world number three has been plagued by injury since July, after she lost the Wimbledon semi-final to Serena Williams in July.

“I am very disappointed to have to pull out of the China Open this year and not have the chance to defend my title,” Sharapova said in a statement Wednesday.