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Former world number one Maria Sharapova [Images] has pulled out of next week's Paris Open after failing to fully recover from a shoulder injury, organisers said on Wednesday.

"I confirm she will not be there, she will not be taking part in the Dubai tournament the following week," a tournament spokeswoman said.

The 21-year-old Russian has been sidelined since August and was not able to defend her Australian Open [Images] title last month, dropping to 17th in the WTA rankings released on Monday.

World number one Serena Williams [Images] of the United States and Russian Olympic [Images] champion Elena Dementieva [Images] have confirmed they will take part in the tournament starting on Monday, organisers added.