ESPN.com · May 14, 2015
Williams withdraws prior to Italian Open match
Top-ranked Serena Williams withdraws from Italian Open
5m - Tennis Serena Williams Christina McHale Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova+2 more
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Associated Press
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ROME -- Top-ranked Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Italian Open.
Tournament organizers announced Williams' decision without explanation shortly before she was scheduled to face fellow American Christina McHale, a qualifier, in the third round.
Williams was scheduled to meet with reporters later.
In her opener Tuesday, Williams cruised past 39th-ranked Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 6-3 in just over an hour.
The Italian Open is the last major warmup for the French Open, which starts in 10 days.