Serena pulls out of Rome but confident over Roland Garros

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

ROME (AFP) — World number six Serena Williams pulled out of the WTA Rome International on Friday after hurting her back while training, but thinks she will recover in time for the French Open less than two weeks away.

"It just happened all of a sudden in practice. I just went for a shot and then my back got a little stuck, that's basically how it happened," fifth-seeded Williams, 26, told a news conference.

"I don't expect this to cause any problems in my preparations for the French," which begins on May 25 in Paris, she said.

"I'm in good form, so I'll be going in there (Roland Garros) with a couple of good wins under my belt."

Williams was to have met French sensation Alize Cornet in the quarter-finals on Friday after winning through to the last...