• WTA Tour

Ailing Sharapova out of Paris

ESPN staff
February 10, 2011
Maria Sharapova was suffering with a respiratory virus © Getty Images
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Maria Sharapova has been forced to pull out of the Paris Open with a virus.

The second seed was due to play Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the second round on Thursday, but withdrew on the advice of her doctor after being diagnosed with a respiratory complaint.

Sharapova, who had a bye in the first round, only managed to train for 10 minutes on Wednesday.

"Upon seeing the doctor this morning, I have taken his advice and reluctantly had to withdraw from this year's Open GDF SUEZ," Sharapova said in a statement.

"Even though I did everything possible to be ready to play, unfortunately, I am just unable to."

Mattek-Sands defeated lucky loser Stephanie Cohen-Aloro for a place in the quarter-finals, while there were also wins for Jelena Dokic, Petra Kvitova and Andrea Petkovic.

Meanwhile, at the Pattaya Open in Thailand, top seed Vera Zvonareva remains on course for a third straight title with a straight-sets win over local qualifier Nungnadda Wannsuk.

Zvonareva, who has now amassed a 12-match winning streak in Pattaya City, dropped just five points on her serve as she cruised to the opening set. Wannasuk provided a sterner test in the second set, but a late break helped the world No. 3 seal her place in the quarter-finals, where she will meet Shuai Peng, who beat Elena Baltacha on Wednesday.

Also through to the last eight is fourth seed Daniela Hantuchova, who battled her way past Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm 7-6(3) 6-3, while Sara Errani and Akgul Amanmuradova complete the quarter-final line-up.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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