TENNIS in DEPTH.

Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Rogers Cup a day before the event is set to begin in Montreal.

Sharapova was injured Sunday in the final of a WTA event in Cincinnati, losing to Kim Clijsters. She required treatment on her heel in the 2-6, 7-6, 6-2 loss.

“Another tough final for me today, I had my chances and did not take them,” Sharapova wrote on a statement posted on her website. “Kim is such a great champion and really showed it after the rain delay. I felt some pain in my foot late in the second set which kind of scared me so I have been forced to pull out of Montreal. I am hoping I just need a few days of rest.”

Jelena Jankovic is the top seed and was quoted as saying “I’ve been No. 1 two years ago, and finished 2008 as the No. 1 player in the world. I have achieved that, a dream come true for me,” said Jankovic.  ”In this moment I’m not thinking about that. Playing my tennis, working hard and improving, and doing well in the big events, that is my goal.

“I had injuries, just came back from an ankle injury, so I really don’t have high expectations of myself,” Jankovic added. “I just want to go on the court and play the best that I can, and hopefully get as many matches as possible.”

Sharapova had been seeded 12th at the Rogers Cup and was to play Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic in the first round.

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