ROME (AP) β Top-ranked Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Italian Open with a right elbow injury before she was scheduled to face Christina McHale in the third round.
Williams says the injury first affected her at last week’s Madrid Open, where she lost to Petra Kvitova in the semifinals.
In her Rome opener on Tuesday, Williams beat 39th-ranked Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 6-3.
The Italian Open is the last major warm-up tournament for the French Open, which starts in 10 days.
Williams says she does not think the injury will affect her at Roland Garros. Last year, Williams was beaten by Garbine Muguruza in the second round in Paris.
Williams is the defending champion at the Foro Italico.
