Eighth-seeded American Venus Williams jas withdrawn from the 6.9 million-dollar WTA and ATP Masters Series tournament that started here on Wednesday, organisers said.
Williams, winner of the event in 1998, 1999 and 2001 pulled out complaining of a painful right elbow. Her place will be taken in the draw by Slovakian Martina Sucha.
Williams's withdrawal was the third injury to hit the WTA draw, desite the new designation of the event as mandatory for the top women players in the world.
Last Thursday, seven-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, younger sister of Venus, pulled out saying she did not feel prepared to play at a high enough level.
American Lindsay Davenport, a finalist here in 2000, withdrew because of a bulging disc in her lower back, an injury that hindered her in last week's tournament at Indian Wells, California.