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Injured Sharapova forced to rest

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LONDON, England -- World number two Maria Sharapova has pulled out of next week's Family Circle Cup and Russia's Fed Cup tie against Spain as her 2007 season continues to be plagued by injury.

The Russian announced on her Web site that she is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines with shoulder and hamstring injuries.

Florida-based Sharapova has been heavily criticized for not playing for her country and said she would be holding discussions with the Russian tennis federation about future matches after being forced to skip the April 21-22 tie.

Sharapova needs to represent Russia in a team competition to be picked for next year's Olympics in Beijing.

"It's difficult for me to take time off from tennis, but the first thing is my health and that's something that I have made a big priority in my career. I can only look forward to getting back on the court as soon as possible," she told her Web site.

"My doctors have a positive outlook, despite telling me I cannot play for a while.

"They are confident that, with five or six weeks of rest, I will be ready for the next events," she added.

Sharapova, 19, injured her shoulder playing in an exhibition tournament in Hong Kong ahead of the first grand slam of the season in Australia.

Taking anti-inflammatory tablets, Sharapova survived to reach the final in Melbourne where she was roundly beaten by a resurgent Serena Williams.

A secondary hamstring injury has also hampered her return to the WTA tour and she has lost her world number one ranking to Justine Henin.

She was beaten in the fourth round of the latest tournament in Miami by Serena Williams who went on to beat Henin in an epic final.

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