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)


Seed No.11 Victoria Azarenka upset world No.1 and top seed Serena Williams 6-3 6-1 to claim the biggest title in her career.
Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka will play each other for the third time in their careers and the second time in 2009 to fight for the Sony Ericsson Open title.