Williams withdraws from US Open

Two-time US Open champion Venus Williams has pulled out of this year's event after failing to recover from her wrist injury.

The American, who was due to face Marta Domachowska of Poland in the first round, has been troubled by the problem since Wimbledon this summer and the injury has not healed in time.

"I have many great memories from competing at the US Open and I regret that I will not be able to participate in 2006," read a statement from Williams on the US Open's official website, www.usopen.org.

"I will miss the excitement of competing in front of the New York fans at one of the premier sporting events in the world. I look forward to returning in 2007."

Williams, who had been seeded 30 this year, won singles titles at Flushing Meadows in 2000 and 2001.

The US Open begins on Monday.