MARIA SHARAPOVA’S comeback from a leg injury lasted less than three sets Monday before she retired with a left arm problem against unseeded Barbora Strycova at the Wuhan Open.

    The world No. 3 had been out with a persistent leg injury since July, when she lost a Wimbledon semifinal to Serena Williams, and pulled out of three events including the U.S. Open.

    But the Russian’s long-awaited return in Wuhan, Central China’s Hubei Province, proved short-lived as she was pushed to two tie-breaks by Czech Strycova — 6-7 (1), 7-6 (4) — before withdrawing when 2-1 up in the third.

    Sharapova’s retirement leaves a question mark over the rest of her season with only one big tournament, the China Open, left before the year-ending WTA Finals in Singapore.

    She had pulled out of a WTA event in Toronto and the Cincinnati Masters hoping to be ready for the U.S. Open, but was also forced to withdraw from the year’s final Grand Slam tournament.

    “Obviously I took a large amount of time to get back to a level where I can come to a tournament, which is very important,” Sharapova said Saturday as she arrived in Wuhan.

    “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t healthy and ready to compete.”

    Earlier, in her first match since losing in the U.S. Open final, Roberta Vinci rallied to beat qualifier Danka Kovinic of Montenegro 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 in the first round.

    The 15th-seeded Italian was broken three times in the opening set, but picked up her game to advance to the second round.

    At the U.S. Open, Vinci stopped Serena Williams’ bid for a calendar-year Grand Slam by upsetting the American in the semifinals.

    Vinci’s compatriot and doubles partner Sara Errani, seeded 16th, however, lost 7-6 (4), 4-6, 2-6 to France’s Caroline Garcia.

    Eugenie Bouchard withdrew from the tournament Monday because of the concussion she sustained during the U.S. Open. The 21-year-old Canadian said she’s “frustrated and disappointed” that she won’t be able to compete.(SD-Agencies)