Stomach virus takes Sharapova out of Mexico Open

Russian tennis superstar Maria Sharapova pulled out of the Mexican Open in Acapulco on Friday due to a stomach virus, keeping her out of the semi-finals. World number two Sharapova, 27, was due to face Caroline Garcia of France at the Abierto Mexicano in the Pacific resort on Friday. "I'm really sorry to have to withdraw from the tournament. I had a great start to the event and was hoping I could recover in time for tonight's match but unfortunately it was not enough time," Sharapova said on her website. The five-time Grand Slam winner's next tournament is at Indian Wells, California, on March 11.