TENNIS in DEPTH.

Serena Williams has withdrawn from next week’s Pan Pacific Open as she rests knee and toe injuries, organisers revealed on Thursday.

But the tournament received a boost this week when Dinara Safina, world No.1 and defending champion at the Tokyo event, confirmed she will play after missing the initial entry list.

Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Williams has not played on the singles tour since ending her US Open semi-final against Kim Clijsters with a point penalty after losing it with a lineswoman who called her for a second-serve foot fault.

The rest of the women’s world top 10, including Serena’s sister Venus, is among the field at the $2 million event, which also features Maria Sharapova and three Japanese players — Morita Ayumi, Ai Sugiyama, Kimiko Date Krumm — who received wildcards.

World No.1 Dinara Safina, who was not on the initial entry list, has opted to compete in Tokyo in a bid to retain the Pan Pacific crown she won last year.

Dominika Cibulkova and Amelie Mauresmo have also decided to skip the $2 million event.

Bookmark It