Injured Venus pulls out of Berlin final

The elder Williams sister was chasing a third consecutive WTA tour title after winning in Warsaw last week and Charleston the week before.

She extended her winning streak to 15 matches on Saturday but twisted her left foot in the final game.

‘‘Last night it became worse and this morning it was very painful,’’ said Williams, leaning on crutches.

The American, who appeared to be recapturing her best form after a string of injuries, would not immediately comment on how serious the injury was and whether it might force her out of the French Open starting on May 24.

“It’s not something I want to think about right now,” she said.

World number two Kim Clijsters pulled out of the Berlin tournament before her scheduled third round match on Thursday because of a recurrent wrist injury. It was announced the next day that she would miss the French Open.

Clijsters lost to fellow Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne in last year’s final in Paris.

World number one Henin-Hardenne is a doubtful starter for this year’s French Open because of a viral infection.

Williams’s withdrawal meant world number three Mauresmo won the Berlin event for the second time since 2001.

“It’s a strange feeling,” said the French woman, seeded second.

“I would rather have played the final but, overall, it’s been a very positive week for me and I’m definitely looking forward to the French Open. I’m one of maybe five players with a chance of winning it.” (Reuters)