Injury delays Sharapova's bid for top spot

Maria Sharapova is on her way to becoming No. 1 in the world. She'll have to put the celebration on hold for another 10 days, though.

Sharapova withdrew from the JPMorgan Chase Open because of a strained chest muscle Friday, postponing her move from No. 2 into the top spot. The tournament's top seed was scheduled to play ninth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia in an evening quarterfinal match.



A victory would have given the 18-year-old Russian enough points to overtake injured American Lindsay Davenport as No. 1.



Instead, Sharapova will become the first Russian to hold the top spot on Aug. 22. She will be the fifth youngest at No. 1, and the 15th player in that coveted spot since the WTA Tour rankings began in 1975.



Sharapova is entered in next week's tournament at Toronto, but she said the chances of her playing are "not very big."



Whether she plays another match or not, she'll overtake Davenport in the rankings points. Davenport did not enter Toronto.



"The computer doesn't lie," said Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion. "You have to achieve something to get there. It's been an amazing two years and the achievement is amazing."



Sharapova received treatment on her injured right chest muscle Friday morning, but was in too much pain to practice and decided to withdraw.



"I didn't find any miracle cream that would work," she said, smiling. "I can do a lot of things with my arm, except serve and hit a forehand."



Sharapova had hinted Thursday that her status was doubtful. She said she played in pain during a 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 third-round win over Anna Chakvetadze of Russia.



She said the injury on her right side affected her ability to serve hard and pound forehands, the biggest strengths of her game.