Serena withdraws ahead of second round Cincinnati clash

Serena Williams pulled out of this week’s WTA Premier event in Cincinnati to avoid aggravating an injury ahead of the US Open.

Serena has gone unbeaten throughout the summer hard-court swing so far, scything her way through strong fields in Stanford and Toronto to pick up both titles. She’s now back up to 31 in the rankings and should sneak a seeding at the US Open later this month, an event she will go into as the favourite.

Serena was attempting to make it back to back title wins in Toronto and Cincinnati this week and she cruised through her opening round clash with Lucie Hradecka 6-3, 7-6. However in doing so, the American bruised her right toe and she withdrew ahead of her second round against Sam Stosur as a precaution.

"It's not nearly extreme, it's just a bit of an aggravation because I think I've been pounding it a lot and playing a lot," she said. "I don't think this is a good time for me to take a big chance. I just don't think that's smart. I'm definitely disappointed, but at the same time I have a lot to look forward to."

“If anything, it'll make them (her US Open chances) better, maybe because I have more opportunity to rest up and get 200% healthy, which could be a very dangerous thing."

Stosur will be relieved as she played Williams just a couple of days ago in the Toronto final and was thoroughly outplayed.