Two-time defending champion Venus Williams pulls out of Dubai with the same groin injury that she sustained at the Australian Open. No. 6 Williams will lose 900 ranking points from the event and also has 280 points on the line the next week in Acapulco. Missing that event could cost her a spot in the Top 10.
However, eight Top 10 players are still in Dubai, with only Williams and new No. 1 Kim Clijsters skipping the event. Wild cards have been awarded to Jelena Dokic, Bojana Jovanovski and Sania Mirza.—Matthew Cronin