Serena’s French Open clash with Sharapova ends before it began due to injury

American Serena Williams’ audacious attempt to win the French Open for the fourth time ended in crushing anti-climax yesterday as injury, rather than an old foe, forced the 36-year-old to admit defeat at Roland Garros.

The scene had been set for Williams in her ‘superhero’ catsuit to take on Russian ice queen Maria Sharapova in a fourth-round clash that had assumed top-billing.

But shortly before the two old warriors were due on court, the 23-times grand slam champion instead stepped into a news conference room to announce she was pulling out.

Williams, playing in her first Grand Slam tournament since giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia last September, said she had suffered a pectoral muscle injury in her impressive third-round victory against Germany’s Julia Goerges.