November 18th, 2011
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Posted by: Marco
Maria has pulled out of the season-ending WTA Championships in Istanbul after suffering successive straight-sets defeats.
Sharapova lost to China's Li Na 7-6 (7-4) 6-4, who had herself not won a match, or even a set, since August.
It was a match that ebbed and flowed as Li came from 2-4 down in the first set to force a tie-break, which she won despite losing the first four points.
Maria, who has struggled with an ankle injury but had the chance to become world number one with victory in Istanbul, there were some positives to be taken from two defeats in two days.
"I just have to be pleased that I recovered quickly enough to allow myself a chance of playing here," she told AFP.
