Maria Sharapova has pulled out of the US Open on the eve of the tournament.
The Russian world No3 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 just over 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She travelled to New York for the year’s final grand slam tournament, but announced a day before the start that she had withdrawn.
Sharapova wrote on her Facebook page: “Unfortunately I will not be able to compete in this years 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.”
Sharapova will be replaced in the draw by the Russian, Daria Kasatkina, who will now play Daria Gavrilova.
