Maria Sharapova pulls out of Indian Wells Open

Former world number one Maria Sharapova has pulled out of Indian Wells Open due to shoulder Injury, tournament organisers said on Wednesday.

The 31-years-old tennis star failed to recover from a right shoulder problem, the same injury that kept her out of the Saint Petersburg tournament in January.

The organisers of the Indian Wells Open made the announcement on Wednesday, the Russian star place will now be taken by a Germany's Mona Barthel.
The WTA Indian Wells Open will commence next month in California without five-time Grand Slam champion, the event that will unfold between March 4-17.

By Oladele Emmanuel Abiodun