Sharapova pulls out of Indian Wells with shoulder injury

The shoulder problem had also forced the 31-year-old to withdraw from her second-round match in St Petersburg, Russia last month.

(Reuters)

"We will miss Maria this year and hope to see her back at Indian Wells next year!" the tournament said on Twitter.

Sharapova's withdrawal allowed German Mona Barthel to secure a spot in the Indian Wells singles draw. The tournament will take place from March 4-17.

(Reporting by Rory Carroll, editing by Pritha Sarkar)