San Diego (USA), July 29: World number one Serena Williams, who replaced injured older sister Venus in the draw, pulled out of the one million WTA hardcourt event with left knee tendinitis.
Williams underwent an MRI yesterday, which revealed a strained left quadriceps muscle that was causing her persistent pain in the knee. "Serena had an MRI taken in Los Angeles and it showed a left quadriceps strain that is causing her pain in the knee, said WTA tour spokesman Darrell Fry. "Apparently on the advice of her doctor, she has been forced to withdraw. "Serena had been experiencing left knee pain similar to that which caused her to withdraw from wta events at scottsdale and stanford."

Three weeks ago, Serena Williams defeated Venus to defend her Wimbledon singles title and earn her fifth Grand Slam in the last six. Venus is sidelined with a abdominal tear.

But the 21-year-old, who has reigned as the top-ranked player for 56 consecutive weeks, will be missing her second consecutive event, following her withdrawal from the Bank of the West Classic at Stanford last week.

Serena is tentatively slated to play in Los Angeles next week.

Serena could be joined by two-time champion Jennifer Capriati, who suffered a pectoral muscle strain in the middle set of a three-set loss to Belgian Kim Clijsters in the title match at Stanford on Sunday.

Bureau Report