Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the WTA Championships due to a left ankle sprain, the press in Istanbul reported. The world No. 2 badly sprained her ankle against Petra Kvtiova in the Tokyo quarterfinals and said that she didn't make the decison to contest the Championships until a week ago. The Russian lost her opening match against Samantha Stosur on Tuesday, and on Wednesday fell 7-6, 6-4 to Li Na. "Maybe I could have done quicker type of healing things or anti-inflammatory shots, but I'm not really that type of girl," Sharapova told reporters.
France's Marion Bartoli will substitute for Sharapova and face Victoria Azarenka.
Sharapova's withdrawal guarantees that Caroline Wozniacki will end the season at No. 1 for the second consecutive year. She is the first player without a Grand Slam title to finish No. 1 two years running.