Maria Sharapova [ Images ] has withdrawn from the Brisbane [ Images ] International with an ankle injury but the former world number one still expects to be fit for the Australian Open [ Images ] next month.

"Unfortunately my ankle is not 100 percent and I won't be able to make it this year," Russian Sharapova said in a statement posted on the tournament's website on Saturday.

"I do expect to be ready for the year's first Grand Slam and I am really looking forward to competing on court."

Sharapova was upset in the fourth round of this year's Australian Open by German Andrea Petkovic at Melbourne [ Images ] Park, where she won the last of her three Grand Slam singles titles in 2008.

The 2012 Australian Open begins on January 16.