Maria Sharapova returns to action, suffers injury at Wuhan Open

Sharapova suffered recurrent pain and retired as she led Barbora Strycova 7-6 (7-1), 6-7 (4-7), 2-1

Russian ace Maria Sharapova has retired from the Wuhan Open following severe pain in her arm.

Sharapova, who bowed out of the U.S. Open with a recurrent injury, was participating in China’s Wuhan Open, her first match since July of this year. The World No. 3 led Czech Barbora Strycova 7-6 (7-1), 6-7 (4-7), 2-1 in the pair’s second round match at the tournament.

Seeded second at the tournament, Sharapova had a first round bye, with Strycova fresh off a straight-sets victory over Hungarian Timea Babos. The match against Strycova was the Russian’s first since her loss to World No. 1 Serena Williams in July at the semi-finals of the Wimbledon Championships.

"I got pain in my left forearm. It just got worse and worse as I continued," said Sharapova in a press conference following the retirement.” I just don't think it's smart to continue trying to run around the court and trying to hit forehands from the backhand side and compensate other things. I haven't played a match in many months. I guess this is the consequence of that. I just have to work on getting it better."

Next week sees the China Open due on the WTA calendar, but it is unlikely Sharapova will be able to participate, although she is scheduled to.

The ace has said she is personally aiming for the end of October, when the WTA Finals will be held in Singapore. She also wants to focus on recovery in time for the finals of the Fed Cup, the premier women’s team tennis event of the year, which this year will see the second-ranked Russian side take on the World No. 1 Czech squad.

Sharapova remained noncommittal about her immediate participation plans, however.

"Singapore and the Fed Cup is a big priority," she said. "I'll do everything in order to be healthy for that. I don't know how long it will take for this to recover so I can't really give a definite answer about next week.”