Sharapova, Keys pull out of Dubai

DUBAI, Feb 16 (Reuters): Former world number one Maria Sharapova and US Open finalist Madison Keys have pulled out of next week's Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the tournament organisers said on Thursday.

Five-time grand slam winner Sharapova, who had a accepted a wildcard to make her first appearance at the tournament since 2006, decided to withdraw citing a forearm strain.

Sharapova lost her opening round match at the Qatar Open on Monday to Romania's Monica Niculescu in three sets and is currently ranked 41 in the world. The 30-year-old Russian has a 21-10 win-loss record since her return from a doping ban last April.

American world number 14 Keys, who was expected to make her Dubai debut, has withdrawn due to illness.

"Unfortunately both Maria Sharapova and Madison Keys have regretfully had to withdraw from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships due to injury and illness," tournament director Salah Tahlak said in a statement.