General / Editor / 03 May 2007 /

World number 12 Serena Williams has pulled out of next week's Sony Ericsson WTA Qatar Telecom German Open in Berlin because of a groin injury.

The Australian Open champion has played just four tournaments this year but did appear for the US in the Fed Cup against Belgium last month.

"I am very disappointed to have to withdraw from the tournament because of an injury to my groin that I haven't fully recovered from yet," said the big-hitting American.

"The Qatar Telecom German Open is a fantastic event and I hope to play there in the future."

Former French Open and Doha winner, Anastasia Myskina of Russia, who is suffering from a toe injury, has also had to withdraw from the Qatar Telecom Open as well.

Myskina played her last match on the Tour at the beginning of January.

World number one, Justine Henin of Belgium, Amélie Mauresmo of France, Switzerland's Martina Hingis and Nadia Petrova of Russia will, however, be in attendance.

Henin and Petrova are set to renew their rivalry at the event, having slugged it out in the final over the last two years.

Henin triumphed in 2005 after a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win over Petrova to claim her third German Open title, while her opponent gained revenge in 2006 with a hard-fought 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory.

The two are likely to be prominent in the markets when they open in advance of the tournament, which starts on May 7.

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