Posted at 11:51 a.m., Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Tennis: Injured Sharapova pulls out of Fed Cup semis
Associated Press
MOSCOW — Maria Sharapova withdrew from the Fed Cup semifinals against the United States because of a right shoulder injury.In a statement posted on her Web site today, the 2006 U.S. Open champion said she had a "tremendous amount of swelling" and doctors advised her to rest her shoulder for the next 10 days.
Sharapova reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last week, losing to eventual champion Venus Williams. Venus and Serena Williams are expected to play for the United States against Russia this weekend in Stowe, Vt.
"I know this withdrawal is very frustrating for all my Russian fans, but I promise you it is way more frustrating for me," Sharapova said. "Nothing would (have) made me happier than beating the Americans on American soil."
Russia's remaining roster includes Svetlana Kuznetsova, Nadia Petrova and Anna Chakvetadze.
It's the second time this year Sharapova has withdrawn from the Fed Cup. She was expected to make her debut for Russia in April, but pulled out citing shoulder and leg injuries.
