Serena Williams withdraws from the Montreal Rogers Cup

MONTREAL – Serena Williams hadn't played the Montreal Rogers Cup since 2000, when she made her return here two years ago.

She was scheduled for a repeat performance this year and even did some promotional video to announce her participation. But on Sunday, two days after the singles draw was made, the 34-year-old American announced she was withdrawing.

"Due to inflammation in my shoulder, I unfortunately must withdraw from the Rogers Cup. I was looking forward to competing in Montreal and I look forward to returning soon," is the official Serena Williams quote from the Tennis Canada press release.

Tournament director Eugene Lapierre, who also looked forward to the Williams sisters playing doubles, was quoted thusly:

Williams had been in Stanford this week – not to play the tournament, but to cheer on sister Venus. She also was spotted practicing. It's hard to know how severe the injury is.

The sisters, who have rarely made it to Montreal during their careers for various reasons, created a lot of excitement two years ago, when both were present. They played in the semi-finals, with Venus prevailing in three sets.

So many of the fans at the tournament had never seen the sisters play live, and the awe they inspired in the crowds with the power of their groundstrokes was a neat thing to witness.

With Venus playing in the Stanford singles final Sunday, after a long week of tennis, we'll have to see if she takes a red-eye across the continent and meets her own commitment to play.

In the meantime, because of the very late withdrawal, the Rogers Cup singles draw was re-jigged significantly

No. 3 seed Garbiñe Muguruza was moved into Williams' spot at the top of the draw while No. 9 Svetlana Kuznetsova was moved into the spot in the draw formerly occupied by No. 5 seed Simona Halep. Halep into the "No. 3" spot formerly occupied by Muguruza.

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine became the No. 17 seed and was moved into the spot occupied by No. 13 Samantha Stosur, who moves into the spot occupied by Kuznetsova.

If Venus Williams should withdraw, as late in the day as it will be, her spot would go to a lucky loser from the qualifying – most likely No. 1 seed Varvara Lepchenko of the U.S.

Here are some of the first-round matchups that have changed because of all the changes in the draw

Heather Watson: Was to have played Kuznesova, now meets Stosur

Samantha Stosur: Was to have played a qualifier, now will play Watson

Elina Svitolina: Was to have played Françoise Abanda, now plays a qualifier

Françoise Abanda: Was to have played Svitolina, now will play a qualifier