Tennis

Shoulder injury forces Serena Williams out of tourney

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:17 p.m. ET

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CINCINNATI (AP) Top-seeded Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Western & Southern Open with a shoulder injury, the tournament announced on Monday.

Williams, the tournament's two-time defending champion, withdrew on Monday after a morning practice session, according to tournament officials.

She accepted a wild-card berth in the tournament last week after being upset in the third round of the Rio Olympics.

The withdrawal gives second-seeded Angelique Kerber an opportunity to earn the WTA No. 1 ranking if she were to win the W&S title.

Williams has been ranked No. 1 for 183 consecutive weeks and 306 overall.

Japan's Misaki Doi replaces Williams in the draw, receiving Williams' first-round bye.

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