Maria Sharapova falls ill, pulls out of Dubai Tennis Tournament

Russian beauty Maria Sharapova has pulled out of this week's WTA Dubai Championships citing a viral illness.

The 20 year old, 2008 Australian Open Champion, won the Qatar Open crown on Sunday and is unbeaten so far in 2008.

The world number 5 had been due to play her first match in Dubai on centre court in Tuesday's evening session. "Unfortunately I have been battling a virus for several days and it's reached a point where I'm unable to compete," said Maria Sharapova.

Maria Sharapova is the new Australian Open champion 2008

Russian beauty Maria Sharapova is the new Australian Open champion after winning the battle of the glam queens in straight sets. Fifth seed Sharapova wrapped up her third major title with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over fourth-seeded Ana Ivanovic on Saturday.

The Russian lost out to Serena Williams in the final 12 months previously, the fifth seed produced a powerful performance to see off a spirited Ivanovic in straight sets and take the season's opening grand slam title.

The 20-year-old Russian didn't drop a set in seven matches at Melbourne Park, including wins over three of the top four ranked players, erasing 12 months worth of painful memories in the wake of her 6-1, 6-2 loss last year.

Sharapova was the first to gain the upper hand when she broke Ivanovic in the fifth game of the first set after the Serb scooped a backhand long.

Both players then held serve before Ivanovic had a chance to break back at 30-40, which she spurned after hitting a backhand into the net. Ivanovic took a 5-4 lead and had the Russian on the ropes at 0-30 but a combination of strong serving and some poor shots from the fourth seed saw Sharapova escape.

Sharapova went on to take the first set as she converted the first of three set points when her opponent's low forehand did not make it over the net.

Ivanovic was immediately under pressure at the start of the second, managing to hold her serve after a lengthy deuce thanks to some incredible recovery play.
Sharapova had no such problems and the set went with serve until at 3-3, the Russian took control.

A beautiful forehand pass set up 0-30 on Ivanovic's serve and although the Serb battled back, a double fault and then a forehand that ended up in the net saw Sharapova take a 4-3 lead.

She consolidated that advantage in her next service game before a punishing forehand gave her three match points on Ivanovic's serve and Sharapova duly completed victory when the Serb sent a forehand wide.

For the Serb, it was a second final disappointment having lost out to Justine Henin in the French Open last year.

Sharapova wished her mother, Yelena, a happy birthday and told her how she planned to spend some of her $1,207,790 prize money.