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Williams, a finalist at the 2013 tournament where she lost in
three sets to Victoria Azarenka, was the top seed at the Feb.
21-27 tournament in Doha.
"I unfortunately have to withdraw from the Qatar Total Open as I
have come down with the flu and do not feel 100 percent,"
Williams said in a statement released by tournament organizers.
"I need to take this time to recover but I do look forward to
returning to Doha and seeing my fans soon."
The 34-year-old American announced last week that she would miss
the ongoing Dubai Championships with the flu.
Williams has not played a competitive match since she was
stunned in the Australian Open final by German Angelique Kerber.
The world number one's withdrawal comes as another blow to
tournament organizers after Maria Sharapova pulled out with an
arm injury.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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