PARIS, May 20 (UPI) -- Serena Williams, winner of this year's Australian Open, withdrew Friday from the French Open.
The second Grand Slam event of the season begins Monday and the draws released Friday showed world No. 1 Roger Federer will face either a qualifier or a lucky loser in the opening round.
Lindsay Davenport, the top seed on the women's side who has a history of poor performances on clay, will start her championship quest against Katarina Srebotnik. Davenport has never reached the French Open title match.
Williams, who defeated Davenport in the Australian Open final, cited an ankle injury as the reason for her withdrawal.
Although Federer is seeded No. 1, Rafael Nadal ranks among the favorites thanks to his five titles on clay this year and a 31-2 overall record. Federer and Nadal, the fourth seed, could not meet before the semifinals.
