Serena withdraws from Italian Open with knee problem

Serena Williams

Rome, AFP: Serena Williams withdrew from the Italian Open on Tuesday with a recurring left knee injury. 

“Serena Williams has withdrawn with a new knee pain,” organisers said. 

The 23-time Grand Slam champion’s withdrawal comes a day after she beat Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson in straight sets to set up a second round meeting with her older sister Venus. 

She had been returning after more than two months out with a knee problem, in the final warm-up clay-court tournament before the French Open. 

Four-time Rome winner Serena, 37, had eased through 6-4, 6-2 her first round match against Swedish qualifier Petersen. 

Serena had also played Petersen in the second round at the Miami Open in March before withdrawing with a knee injury. 

Her withdrawal sends Venus Williams, the 1999 winner, through to a third round meeting with either Johanna Konta of Britain or American seventh seed Sloane Stephens.