Maria Sharapova will not defend her title at the Australian Open next week after withdrawing from the year's opening grand slam tournament, according to officials. She also missed the Beijing Olympics and the U.S. Open because of the injury, and her recovery has been slower than expected.
      
      "I am very sorry to announce that I am not going to be able to defend my title at this year's Australian Open," Sharapova said in a Tennis Australia statement. "My shoulder is doing great, but I just started training a few weeks ago and I am just not near the level I need to be to compete at the highest levels."
      
      21-year-old Sharapova, a three-time Grand Slam winner, was dominant in Melbourne last year and used the momentum to claim the world's top ranking before the onset of shoulder problems.
      
      Source: www.afp.com