Sore shoulder rules out defending champ Sharapova

SYDNEY: Maria Sharapova will not defend her title at the Australian Open next week after withdrawing from the year's opening grand slam tournament, officials said yesterday.

The Russian world No 9 advised tournament officials that she was not confident of her fitness levels after a shoulder surgery late last year.

The 21-year-old was hindered by a right shoulder injury much of last season and skipped the Beijing Olympics and the US Open before having arthroscopic surgery in October.