Vera Zvonareva to miss Australian Open

Vera Zvonareva has said that she will not compete in next month's Australian Open due to a shoulder injury.

The Russian missed two Grand Slams this year through injury and illness, and has dropped to 49th in the world rankings.

The 28-year-old posted on her Facebook page: "I will not be able to go to Australia this year.

"My body is not 100% recovered yet and I want to start when I know I can play the rest of the year."

Zvonareva is the reigning Australian Open women's doubles champion along with Svetlana Kuznetsova.