Williams sisters out

CHARLESTON: Serena and Venus Williams have withdrawn from next week’s Family Circle Cup because of injuries. Venus Williams has a right elbow sprain that has forced her out of tournaments for the past two months. Serena Williams has not recovered from a left knee injury that has sidelined her for much of the year. “I know they really enjoy playing this event, so I am sure they are as disappointed as we are,” tournament director Robin Reynolds said. — AP

Petrova advances

Amelia Island: Top-seeded Nadia Petrova advanced to the semi-finals of the Bausch & Lomb Championships, while second-seeded Patty Schnyder dropped out of the clay-court event. Petrova beat Spain’s Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-3, 6-0, and Svetlana Kuznetsova routed Schnyder 6-3, 6-1. In the semis, Petrova will face Czech Lucie Safarova, and Kuznetsova will play Italian Fran-cesca Schiavone. Safarova beat Jill Craybas 6-2, 6-2, and Schiavone beat Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-2, 6-3. —AP

Ronaldinho ruled out

MADRID: Ronaldinho will miss FC Barcelona’s Spanish league game with Racing Santander due to a bruised right leg. The Brazilian forward sustained the injury during Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Benfica. Barcelona’s 19-man squad for Sunday’s visit to Santander was also without forward Lionel Messi, who has recently recovered from a right thigh injury, and defender Oleguer Presas, who has been rested. — AP