CARLSBAD, Calif. (AP) – Venus Williams pulled out of the Acura Classic on Tuesday with a sprained right wrist, an injury that forced her to withdraw from the semifinals of last week’s tournament in Carson, Calif.

WTA spokesman Jim Fuhse made the announcement, just a few hours before Williams’ opening-round match against Gisela Dulko.

“I have been resting my wrist and receiving as much treatment as possible in order to give myself every possible chance to play,” Williams said in a WTA press release. “Unfortunately, there just wasn’t enough time to recover. I’ve been advised to let the wrist fully heal in order to prevent aggravating it even more seriously.”

Williams said last week the injury occurred when she pushed off her arms to get up after tying her shoe two hours before Saturday’s semifinal against Lindsay Davenport. Williams trailed 7-5, 2-0 when she retired.

Williams has won three straight titles here, from 2000-2002.

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