Maria Sharapova withdraws from event

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PARIS -- Maria Sharapova has pulled out of the Open Gaz de France because she says she is still feeling the effects of a viral illness.

The 23-year-old Russian player skipped the reverse singles match in last weekend's Fed Cup win over France, but had hoped to recover in time to play Thursday against Bethanie Mattek-Sands in Paris.

Sharapova says that "upon seeing the doctor this morning, I have taken his advice and reluctantly had to withdraw," adding that "I did everything possible to be ready to play."

Organizers had given Sharapova a wild-card invitation.

Mattek-Sands will play either sixth-seeded Andrea Petkovic of Germany or Kristina Kucova of Slovakia in Friday's quarterfinals.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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