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Sharapova pulls out of German Open

  • Story Highlights
  • Russian Maria Sharapova pulls out of German Open with unspecified injury
  • The Australian Open champion has not played on WTA Tour since April 19
  • Justine Henin is tthe op seed at important French Open warm-up tournament
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(CNN) -- Maria Sharapova's preparations for the second grand slam of the season have been further derailed as the Russian star was forced to withdraw from next week's German Open through injury.

Sharapova's season has been hampered by recent injury problems.

Sharapova began 2008 in stunning form as she took the Australian Open title, but injuries have taken their toll in recent weeks and she has not played since losing to Serena Williams in the quarterfinals of Family Circle Cup on April 19.

Her hopes of adding the French Open title to her collection of three grand slams look uncertain, with the world number three saying she hoped to return "as soon as my body allows me to."

Daniela Hantuchova, world ranked 10, also withdrew from the German Open because of a stress fracture in her right foot.

The Slovakian, who reached the semifinals at the Australian Open earlier this year, said the injury to her foot needs more time to heal.

"I'm very disappointed that I have to withdraw," she said.

The pull outs leave seven of the top 10 players in the world, led by top-ranked Justine Henin and defending champion Ana Ivanovic, entered in the tournament.

Williams, who has won back to back clay-court events, will also take part, plus Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova, Anna Chakvetadze and Elena Dementieva. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

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