Injured Serena pulls out of China Open

World number one Serena William pulled out of next month`s WTA China Open.

Beijing: World number one Serena Williams on Saturday pulled out of next month`s WTA China Open as she continues to recover from recent surgery on her right foot.

The American cut her foot on broken glass at a restaurant shortly after winning her fourth Wimbledon crown in July and has not played since. She had already announced that she would not take part in next week`s Pan Pacific Open in Japan. "While I have continued to make progress in the recovery of my foot injury, unfortunately I am still not ready to compete at the upcoming Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo and China Open in Beijing," Williams said in a statement."These are both fantastic events with loyal fans that I hope to be able to compete in next season. In the meantime I am focused on my rehab program and remain optimistic to return to competition this season." The 4.5 million dollar China Open gets under way in Beijing on October 2. Bureau Report