PARIS, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Newly-crowned Australian Open champion Serena Williams withdrew from her quarterfinal match Friday at the Open Gaz de France.
Williams told tournament officials she was suffering from a stomach virus. She won her first eight matches this season.
Advertisement
Her absence allowed Dinara Safina to advance to the semifinals.
Amelie Mauresmo, meanwhile, reached the semifinals with a 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) win over Magdalena Maleeva.
Mauresmo will face Nadia Petrova in the semifinals while Safina will play Tatiana Golovin.