Serena Williams skips China Open in Beijing

BEIJING (AP) - Serena Williams will miss the China Open after being left out of Friday's draw.

Williams had been expected to play, and organizers did not explain why she was not in the draw.

Williams lost to Sam Stosur in the U.S. Open final, but she won two tournaments heading into the final Grand Slam of the season and had been considered a favorite.

Maria Sharapova also pulled out of the tournament. She injured her left ankle this week at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.