Maria Sharapova of Russia rests in between games in the second set against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic during their WTA Finals tennis match at the Singapore Indoor Stadium October 23, 2014. REUTERS/Edgar Su
Maria Sharapova of Russia rests in between games in the second set against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic during their WTA Finals tennis match at the Singapore Indoor Stadium October 23, 2014. REUTERS/Edgar Su REUTERS

Maria Sharapova played his first match since Wimbledon against Barbora Strycova at the 2015 Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open, but was forced to retire due to arm injury. Despite the recent setback with her return to tennis and the injury, Sharapova remains optimistic and hopes to become fit for the season-ending tournament in Singapore.

The 28-year-old Russian skipped the summer season as well as the last grand slam tournament at Flushing Meadows due to a leg injury. Playing in her first tournament since losing to longtime rival Serena Williams 6-2 6-4 in the semifinal of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships, Sharapova had to retire early in the third set against Strycova, citing a left forearm injury. Despite the injury, Sharapova isn’t worried that it may spoil the rest of her season.

“I’ve had my fair share of serious injuries and I know this is far from it, something I just have to take care of,” Sharapova told the reporters during the post-match press conference. “I mean, obviously, Singapore and Fed Cup is a big priority for myself and I’ll do everything in order to be healthy for that.”

Sharapova recalled having pain in her left forearm that had gotten worse as the match ensued. She thought it would be foolish to continue playing through the pain and weaken her performance or yet, worsen the injury. Sharapova was leading at the time of the retirement 7-6(1) 6-7(4) 2-1.

The Russian added that the injury could have been caused by not playing in months. Still, Sharapova has her mind focused on getting better.

Sharapova, alongside Serena Williams and Simona Halep, have already qualified for the season-ending WTA Tour Finals in Singapore. Last year, Sharapova spearheaded the White Group, joined by Caroline Wozniacki, Petra Kvitova, and Agnieszka Radwanska. However, she failed to come through losing to Kvitova and Wozniacki in the round robin stages002E

Meanwhile, Strycova will play fellow unseeded Coco Vandeweghe in the third round. Vandeweghe beat Caroline Garcia to advance in the tournament 6-3 6-7(7) 7-6(8).

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