Sharapova withdraws from Brisbane International

Maria Sharapova AP Photo

BRISBANE — No. 2-ranked Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Brisbane International before her opening match after feeling pain in her right collarbone during practice.

The French Open champion on Tuesday said she would head immediately to Melbourne to start preparing for the Australian Open, starting January 14.

Sharapova withdrew from the Brisbane tournament due to injury last year but recovered quickly to reach the Australian Open final, where she lost to Victoria Azarenka.

There had been concerns over Sharapova’s availability for the season-opening event after she withdrew from a recent exhibition tournament in South Korea.