Australian Open champion Serena Williams has pulled out of next week's Banglaore WTA tournament due to illness.

"Williams was running a high fever and flu making it impossible for her to travel and compete this week," the organisers said in a statement on Saturday.

The 25-year-old overcame an injury-hit 2006 to capture her eighth grand slam title at Melbourne last month, which lifted the American former world number one from 81st to 15th in the rankings.

Italian defending champion Mara Santangelo, India's Sania Mirza and Alicia Molik of Australia are among those expected to take part in the $175,000 (90,000 pound) tournament.