World number one Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Italian Open due to an elbow injury.

The 33-year-old was due to take on fellow American Christina McHale in the third round this afternoon after easing past Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Tuesday.

However, according to Fox Sports, an injury to her right elbow, which she claims contributed to her semi-final exit at the Madrid Open last week, has forced her out of the remainder of the tournament.

Meanwhile, on the men's side, Andy Murray, who won his first clay-court titles in Munich and Madrid this month, has also withdrawn from the tournament in Rome.