Roland Garros 2018, Women's Singles, Pre-quarterfinals: Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova, Live Match Updates

The match was cancelled after Serena William's was ruled out due to injury.

It's a wrap here! Stay tuned to Sportskeeda for all the updates on the French Open.

Due to Serena's withdrawal, Sharapova is through to the last 8 of the French Open. She is likely to meet former champion Garbine Muguruza in her quarterfinal match.

This is also Sharapova's first outing at the French Open after her 15-month drug suspension and seeing the two arch-rivals battling would certainly have made for an enthralling match.

This news is heartbreak for all of her fans.

Serena was playing her first major since giving birth to her daughter in September last year.

Serena Williams announces her withdrawal from #RG18 due to a right pectoral injury.

Wishing the three-time champion a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/bo3e1jkgcv
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2018

There is some bad news: Serena Williams had to pull out of the French Open due to a pectoral injury. At the press conference before the match, she revealed that it was hard for her to play as she could not physically serve.

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's live coverage of the French Open! Next up is: Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova

28th seed Maria Sharapova has had a strong run in the competition so far. The Russian faced Netherland's Richel Hogenkamp in the in the first round. She was upto the challenge and won 6-1, 4-6, and 6-3. In the second round, she faced the talented 21-year-old Donna Vekić from Croatia who gave her a run for her money. It was a closely contested battle but Maria ultimately clinched the match in straight sets, winning 7-5, 6-4 in 1 hour and 57 minutes. The 3rd round saw Sharapova going head-to-head with Karolína Plíšková, who was seeded sixth in the competition. However, this proved to be Sharapova's easiest game in the competition and she won 6-2, 6-1, in just 59 minutes.

On the other hand, Serena Williams faced Kristyna Pliskova in Round 1. A thrilling encounter ended winning Serena winning 7-6(4), 6-4 in straight sets. The American then faced the 22-year-old Australian, Ashleigh Barty, in the 2nd round. After going down 6-3 in the first set, Serena showed played with great finnesse to claw her way back into the game as she won the 2nd and 3rd set, 6-3 and 6-4, respectively. The latest challenge Serena had was in the 3rd round when she went up against the German, Julia Goerges. Serena wrapped up the match against the 11th seeded player in just an hour and a quarter, to win 6-3, 6-4 in straight sets.

These results meant that we will be in for a treat, as enduring rivals Serena and Sharapova lock horns in Round 4. Both formerly ranked No. 1's have met on 21 occassions previously, where Serena won 19 wins whereas Sharapova just managed two wins. This is certainly one of the most awaited Serena vs Sharapova clash in years.

In their last meeting, Serena defeated Sharapova 6-4, 6-1 at the 2016 Australian Open quarter-finals. Will Serena be dominant again or will Sharapova pull off an improbable win?