Venus Williams wins Paris Open

Venus Williams won the Paris Open by default on Sunday after Jelena Dokic, her scheduled opponent in the final, pulled out with a thigh injury.

The final, which had been scheduled for later on Sunday, was cancelled, organisers said.

Yugoslav Dokic, 18, had beaten American Monica Seles 6-3 3-6 6-4 on Saturday to reach the final. American Williams, the world number two, defeated French defending champion Amelie Mauresmo 4-6 7-6 7-5 in her semifinal.

Organisers hastily arranged an exhibition mixed doubles game pitching Mauresmo and Yannick Noah against Venus Williams and Mansour Bahrami to entertain spectators in place of the final.