PERTH, Australia — Serena Williams withdrew from her opening match at the Hopman Cup due to a knee problem, an early setback in preparations for her Australian Open title defense.
No. 1-ranked Williams practiced Monday ahead of her scheduled season-opener for the U.S. team against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the international mixed team competition at Perth Arena, but withdrew from the match citing knee inflammation.
Vicky Duval filled in for Williams in the Group A match, losing 6-4, 6-1 to Svitolina in the first singles match and giving Ukraine a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three match round-robin encounter.