Maria Sharapova
Sharapova is out with a shoulder injury.

Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the US Open with a shoulder injury, the world No.3 has confirmed.

The 26 year old, who was considering changing her name to 'Sugarpova' to advertise her range of sweets at the tournament, has bursitis in his right shoulder and despite intensive treatment was unable to recover in time to take her place in the final grand slam of 2013.

Champion at Flushing Meadows in 2006, Sharapova wrote on Facebook: "I have done everything I could since Wimbledon to get myself ready but it just wasn't enough time.

"I have done many tests, received several opinions and it all comes down to taking the proper amount of time to heal my shoulder injury properly.

"It's certainly not an easy decision to make ahead of one of my favorite tournaments, but I know it's the right one that will get me back on the courts soon.

"I plan on taking the next few weeks off, receiving proper treatment and rehabilitation. I will miss being part of the US Open, but can't wait for next year!"

Sharapova last week split from her coach Jimmy Connors after one match - a defeat to Sloane Stevens at the Cincinnati Open and has endured an up and down 2013 season.

She reached the semi-final at the Australian Open and the final of the French Open before crashing out at the second stage at Wimbledon to world No.113 Michelle Larcher de Brito.

Serena Williams will start as the No.1 seed in the women's draw ahead of Victoria Azarenka, with Agnieszka Radwanska, the beaten Wimbledon semi-finalist, starting as the third seed.