ROME, May 9: Russian world number two Maria Sharapova has pulled out of next week's Italian Open after failing to recover from her right shoulder injury, tournament organisers announced on Wednesday.
Sharapova, who also missed out last year because of a foot injury, has been troubled by the injury since losing to Serena Williams at the Miami Open final on March 27. Sharapova reached the semi-finals in Rome in 2004 only to lose to Patty Schnyder.—AFP