By Chris Oddo | Monday, January 4, 2016

The Brisbane International took a big hit on Tuesday, as two of its top three seeds withdrew due to injury.

Maria Sharapova, who was set to face fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova on Tuesday, pulled out with a left forearm injury. Top-seeded Simona Halep later also withdrew.

According to WTA Insider Courtney Nguyen, Sharapova injured the arm a few days ago while preparing for the tournament.

Sharapova says she injured her left forearm during practice a couple of days ago. Was to play Ekaterina Makarova today.

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 5, 2016

Halep, who was scheduled to face Victoria Azarenka in the second round, announced that she was bothered by an achilles tendon strain. According to reports, it’s the same injury that bothered her last summer, and she had an MRI taken this week to determine the damage.

Simona Halep says she had an MRI on her inflamed left Achilles' tendon, an injury she had last summer. Still hopes to play Sydney next week.

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 5, 2016

Halep says she has been able to practice some this week, but not at full speed. "I cannot run a lot."

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 5, 2016

"Yeah, I'm planning to go to Sydney,” Halep said, according to WTATennis.com. “Actually tomorrow I'm going there. I did an MRI and it's nothing dangerous. But it's still an inflammation. … I just have to take a few days' rest."