Beijing, China – Maria Sharapova pulled out of the China Open, citing a left ankle injury suffered Thursday at a tournament in Tokyo.
The former world No. 1 star is currently second in the world rankings and was July's Wimbledon runner-up to Czech left-hander Petra Kvitova.
The three-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova twisted her ankle while serving in the first set of a quarterfinal bout against Kvitova at the Pan Pacific Open on Thursday. On her website, the tall Russian said "good news is that the MRI showed no big damage in the ankle."
Sharapova hopes to play at the prestigious WTA Championships, which will commence October 25 in Istanbul.
The 2011 China Open will get underway Saturday in Beijing.
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