MASON, OHIO (August 17, 2011) – American Serena Williams has withdrawn from the 2011 Western & Southern Open with an aggravation of a right toe injury prior to her second round match against Samantha Stosur.
Williams was to play Stosur in a rematch of last week’s Toronto final in the third match of the day session on Center Court that was to start no earlier than 2:30 p.m. That slot on the schedule will now be occupied by World No. 2 Vera Zvonareva, the 2006 Cincinnati champion, in her second round match against Ekaterina Makarova.
During the Olympus US Open Series, Williams had recorded 12-straight wins, including titles in Stanford and Toronto before her first round victory at the Western & Southern Open Tuesday.
“I woke up this morning not feeling excellent, and then, you know, went to the gym to see how it felt before I hit practice. That definitely didn’t sit well,” Williams explained. “There is a little swelling, so I thought, you know, it would be a wise decision. Talked to my dad and I called Venus. She advised that I do what’s best for me, which would be to take care of my body.
“I’m definitely disappointed, but at the same time, I have a lot to look forward to.”
Stosur, the No. 10 seed, advances to the Round of 16 and will face French Open champion Li Na on Thursday.