Serena Williams pulls out of French Open with injury

Serena Williams said she was “beyond disappointed” after injury forced her to withdraw from the French Open ahead of her fourth-round match against Maria Sharapova.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion told a packed press conference in Paris that she was suffering with a pectoral muscle injury.

“Unfortunately it’s been getting worse to the point where right now I can’t actually serve,” said the American.

“It’s kind of hard to play when I can’t physically serve.”

Williams was playing her first Grand Slam tournament since the 2017 Australian Open, having given birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia in September.

Serena Williams announces her withdrawal from #RG18 due to a right pectoral injury.

Wishing the three-time champion a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/bo3e1jkgcv

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2018

She had impressed in wins over Kristyna Pliskova, Ash Barty and Julia Goerges, but revealed that she had felt the injury during her third-round win over Goerges.

Williams must now wait to see if she will be fit for the grasscourt season, with Wimbledon getting under way on July 2nd.

“So I’m going to get an MRI tomorrow. I’m going to stay here and see some of the doctors here, see as many specialists as I can and I won’t know that until I get those results,” said the 36-year-old.

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“I’m beyond disappointed. You know, I gave up so much, from time with my daughter, to time with my family. I put everything on the court. All for this moment.

“So it’s really difficult to be in this situation, but I always, for now in my life, I just always try to think positive and just think of the bigger picture and hopefully the next events and the rest of the year.”

Sharapova moves on to a first Grand Slam quarterfinal since the 2016 Australian Open, and she will face third seed and 2016 Roland Garros champion Garbine Muguruza.

The Spaniard progressed when Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko retired with an injury at 2-0 down in the first set.

“I was looking forward to my match against Serena today and am disappointed that she had to withdraw,” Sharapova said.

“I wish her a speedy recovery and hope she returns to the tour soon.”

Halep to face Kerber in quarterfinal

Russia’s Daria Kasatkina needed just three games to knock out world No.2 Caroline Wozniacki and reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.

The 14th seed resumed with a 7-6(5) 3-3 lead after play had ended in darkness on Sunday, and she reeled off three straight games to take her record against Wozniacki to 3-0.

Enjoying my time in Paris so far!!???????? ????@rolandgarros #TeamAngie pic.twitter.com/50vUk3LQgL

— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) June 4, 2018

Kasatkina will next face American 10th seed Sloane Stephens in the bottom half of the draw.

“I think the slower the surface is, the better for her,” said Wozniacki. “She has very good hands and good angles and everything, so I think that suits her.”

In the top half, top seed Simona Halep will face former No.1 Angelique Kerber in a repeat of their dramatic Australian Open semifinal.

Halep swept past Belgian 16th seed Elise Mertens 6-2 6-1, while Kerber saw off French seventh seed Caroline Garcia 6-2 6-3.

“I know what to expect,” Kerber said of facing Halep.

“But at the end I think that I have to take the match in my hand, trying to be more aggressive, and just taking my chances when I get it. But I think at the end, I think it will be a long match.”