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Williams also reached the semifinals of the Tier I Tennis Masters Series tournament in Indian Wells, California, where she controversially defaulted her match with sister Serena just before the match started.

Venus had been suffering from knee tendinitis throughout the tournament and eventually this prevented her from playing.

The following day, Venus and her father Richard were booed as they made their way to their seats to watch the final.

Serena was subsequently booed during the final with Kim Clijsters and during the trophy presentation.

Due to this, neither Williams sister has entered the tournament since.

Venus rebounded from the Indian Wells controversy to win the next tournament on the tour calendar, the Tier I Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida.

She defeated Hingis in the semifinals and World No. 4 Jennifer Capriati in the final, after saving eight championship points.

Because of this victory, her ranking rose to a career high of World No. 2.