Monday 31 August 2015 01:03, UK
World No 3 Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from playing at the US Open because of injury.
The Russian 28-year-old has been struggling with a muscle strain in her right leg and has not played a competitive match since losing to Serena Williams in the Wimbledon semi-finals seven weeks ago.
She travelled to New York for the year's final Grand Slam tournament, but announced a day before the start that she had pulled out.
Sharapova wrote on her Facebook page: "Unfortunately I will not be able to compete in this year's US Open.
"I have done everything possible to be ready but it was just not enough time. To all my amazing fans, I will be back in the Asian swing in a few weeks and look forward to finishing the year healthy and strong."
The five-time Grand Slam champion was set to face Australian world No 37 Daria Gavrilova on Monday.
Sharapova was forced to withdraw from the Rogers Cup in Montreal earlier this month and has only been able to do limited training in the build-up to the year's final Grand Slam.
After revealing her doubts about her involvement last week, the 2006 US Open winner said: "You have to be realistic and limit your expectations but it's not easy.
"As a competitor, when you get on the court you want to do the best you can. I will try limit my expectations but it's not easy."
Watch live coverage of the US Open on Monday from 4pm on Sky Sports 1.
Not a Sky subscriber? Then watch through online streaming service NOW TV.
By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.
