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Jankovic in for shoulder victim Sharapova in Paris Open
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-02-06 13:08

PARIS -- Serbia's Jelena Jankovic has received a wildcard entry for next week's Paris Open in place of shoulder injury victim, and fellow ex-number one, Maria Sharapova, organisers said Thursday.

Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, seen here in January 2009, has received a wildcard entry for next week's Paris Open in place of shoulder injury victim, and fellow ex-number one, Maria Sharapova, organisers said Thursday. [Agencies]

Jankovic will join top-ranked Australian Open champion Serena Williams and number four-ranked Russian Olympic champion Elena Dementieva at the Pierre-de-Coubertin stadium.

Sharapova underwent surgery on her right shoulder in October and the problem meant she was unable to defend her Australian Open title last month.

She slipped out of the top 10 on Monday for the first time since winning Wimbledon in July 2004 and is currently ranked 17th.

The Russian, who hasn't played since August, will also miss the Dubai event which starts on February 16.