Maria Sharapova withdraws from Bank of West Classic tournament with arm injury

Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from her second-round match at the Bank of the West Classic in California.

The 30-year-old Russian, who returned to action this week having not played competitively since the middle of May, said she pulled out of her scheduled encounter on Wednesday after taking medical advice.

Sharapova had been due to face the No 7 seed from Ukraine, Lesia Tsurenko, but admitted she had felt pain in her arm during her opening match on Monday.

She said in a statement on the WTA Tour website: "Toward the end of Monday night's match, I felt pain in my left forearm.

"After yesterday's scan, the doctor has recommended I don't risk further injury.

"Monday night's crowd was so special and I wish I could continue playing, but I have to make a preventative decision."

Toward the end of Monday night's match, I felt pain in my left forearm

Her first-round game had been against American Jennifer Brady, who lost 6-1 4-6 6-0 to the five-time grand slam winner.

The tournament director in Stanford, Vickie Gunnarsson, said: "She has so many fans which was evident by the support she received here on Monday.

"We wish her a speedy recovery and hope to see her back on the court soon."

Sharapova, who only made her comeback from a 15-month absence following a doping suspension in April, had been sidelined for eight weeks because of a hip injury.

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