Maria Sharapova has officially pulled out of the 2015 China Open. The left forearm injury that she suffered earlier this week at Wuhan had stopped the reigning China Open from title defense. The tournament will take place at the National Tennis Centre in Beijing from Oct. 5 to Oct. 11, 2015.

“I am very disappointed to have to pull out of the China Open this year and not have the chance to defend my title,” Sharapova said, reported WTATennis.com. “I look forward to coming back in Beijing and competing in front of my Chinese fans.”

Earlier this week, Sharapova sustained an injury to her left forearm during her opening round match against Barbora Strycova at the 2015 Wuhan Open. She retired in the match so as not to worsen the condition. The Russian tennis star is still aiming to be healthy for the season-ending WTA Tour Finals in Singapore at the end of October.

Sharapova is replaced by Julia Gorges in Beijing. She became the sixth player to withdraw from this year’s edition of the China Open. Previously, Karin Knapp withdrew and replaced by Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. Sabine Lisicki was replaced by Carina Witthoft. Ekaterina Makarova also will not be competing in Beijing, substituted by Mona Barthel. Roberta Vinci, the 2015 US Open finalist, will play for Peng Shuai, who was the reigning doubles champion. Lucie Safarova also pulled out and replaced by Alexandra Dulgheru.

Despite Sharapova’s withdrawal, a number of female tennis stars will be a big attraction in the tournament. World No. 1 Serena Williams will be making her sixth appearance in Beijing. The 33-year-old American is named the top seed, while Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova are second and third seed, respectively.

US Open champion Flavia Pennetta is seeded fourth. Agnieszka Radwanska, Wimbledon finalist Garbine Muguruza, 2009 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic, Carlo Suarez-Navarro, and Caroline Wozniacki are also contesting in Beijing.

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