(January 6, 2016) No. 1 Serena Williams has pulled out the Hopman Cup in Perth. Williams did not play her first match and retired from her second match due to inflammation in the left knee. Vicky Duval, who replaced Williams in the first match will take over for the world No. 1 when team USA plays the Czech Republic.
“Just a really minor thing in the road and I’ll fly over it,” Williams said after the match. “I just have some inflammation that’s been going away very slowly – it’s going away but it needs a little more time.
“Mainly I was afraid to move and I need to get in the space where I’m not afraid to move. Maybe a day off or two will really make the world of difference.”
The Australia Green team of Nick Kyrgios and Daria Gavrilova stayed unbeaten in Hopman Cup with a 2-1 win over Great Britain, which dropped to 1-1.
Andy Murray lost to Kyrgios 6-4, 7-6 (6) before Heather Watson rallied to stop Gavrilova 6-7 (2), 6-2, 7-5. In the deciding mixed doubles, Kyrgios and Gavrilova won 6-2, 6-7 (0), 11-9.
| Day four Hopman Cup results
|
|
| Germany d France 2-1
|
|
| Caroline Garcia (FRA) d Sabine Lisicki (GER) | 6-2 7-6(5) |
| Alexander Zverev (GER) d Kenny De Schepper (FRA) | 6-2 6-2 |
| Sabine Lisicki / Alexander Zverev (GER) d Caroline Garcia / Kenny De Schepper (FRA) | |
| Australia Green d Great Britain 2-1 | |
| Nick Kyrgios (AUS) d Andy Murray (GBR) | 6-4 7-6(5) |
| Heather Watson (GBR) d Daria Gavrilova (AUS) | 6-7(2) 6-2 7-5 |
| Daria Gavrilova / Nick Kyrgios (AUS) d Heather Watson / Andy Murray (GBR) | 6-2 6-7(0) [11-9] |