Serena Williams has missed out on the chance to claim the BNP Paribas Open title at Indian Wells, having pulled out of her semi-final meeting against Simona Halep due to an injury problem.

The world number one was taking part in the event for the first time in 14 years after repeatedly boycotting it in the past as a result of sister Venus Williams suffering racial abuse when she last competed here back in 2001.

Victory over Timea Bacsinszky set up a final-four spot for Williams, but despite receiving a pain-killing injection she was unable to take part in this morning's semi-final clash as a result of an injury to her knee.

"I was on the practice court yesterday and everything was going well, but literally the last two minutes I went for a serve and felt a super sharp pain in my knee," the American told reporters.

"I even did an injection. I've never done an injection before. If this were any other event I probably wouldn't have considered it. But I wanted to give 200%. It just wasn't meant to be this year."

Halep will now face Jelena Jankovic in the final of the tournament, after the Serbian pro battled from a set behind to edge past Sabine Lisicki in three sets in the other semi-final tie.