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ROME — Serena Williams withdrew from the Italian Open on Tuesday ahead of her second-round match against her sister Venus Williams because of an injured left knee.
Tournament organizers made the announcement on Tuesday, a day after Serena Williams opened her clay-court season with a straight-sets win over the Swedish qualifier Rebecca Peterson.
“I must withdraw from the Italian Open due to pain in my left knee,” Williams said, according to the WTA website. “I will miss the fans and competition at one of my favorite tournaments. I’ll be concentrating on rehab and look forward to seeing you all at the French Open and next year in Rome.