Victoria Azarenka withdraws from Dubai with foot injury

Dubai: Second-ranked Victoria Azarenka has withdrawn from the Dubai Championships because of a bone bruise in her foot.

Azarenka says she hurt it a week ago in Doha, Qatar, en route to the final where she beat Serena Williams on Sunday.

The withdrawal on Tuesday of the Belarusian, unbeaten this year, ensures Williams will remain No. 1 in the rankings for another week. Azarenka could have, with the right results, regained the top ranking she ceded to Williams on Monday.