Miami draw weaker with Serena Williams withdrawing

World number one Serena Williams will not play the next week’s Sony Ericsson Open in Miami because of a knee injury, which is the third bad news regarding the women’s draw, as Maria Sharapova and second-ranked Dinara Safina had already pulled out.
Serena Williams’ withdrawal is a special blow to the tournament because the American is a five-time Miami singles champion, and was a runner-up last year to Victoria Azarenka.
Venus Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova will now headline the women's field at the Sony Ericsson Open. (photo: Upali Wickramasinghe)



World No.1 Serena Williams will not take part in the BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup on March 1 because of a left leg injury and will be replaced by Ana Ivanovic.