(Reuters) - Serena Williams has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open due to a left knee injury and as a result will relinquish the world number one tennis ranking to German Angelique Kerber. The women's main draw at the BNP Paribas Open begins on Wednesday. The Miami Open, which Williams has won eight times, runs from March 20-April 2. "Sadly, I have to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open," Williams said on the BNP Paribas Open's website on Tuesday. Williams, 35, had needed to reach the Indian Wells semi-finals for a chance to retain her number one ranking, but her withdrawal means Kerber will unseat her after the tournament, according to the WTA website.

Source: thestar March 07, 2017 22:55 UTC