Stephens suffers injury ahead of Australian Open

TENNIS: PERTH, Jan 4, AFP: Rising star Sloane Stephens’ Australian Open preparation suffered an untimely setback with a wrist injury at the mixed teams Hopman Cup on Friday.

The 20-year-old American, ranked 12th in the world, retired after dropping her first set in her singles clash with the Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova.

Kvitova took the first set 6-3 and Stephens then retired, citing a problem with her left wrist.

The injury is a significant setback for Stephens less than two weeks out from the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year and the event at which she announced herself on the world stage last year.

“It’s something I’ve had in the past,” she said.

“It was just too uncomfortable, it hurt too much to play so I couldn’t finish.

“I’m going to have a few scans and see how it is.

“Hopefully it’ll be okay for next week and then the Australian Open.” Stephens reached the semi-finals at last year’s Australian Open, beating countrywoman Serena Williams in the quarter-finals before bowing out to Victoria Azarenka.

With the United States out of contention for the final, towering American John Isner also withdrew from their final tie. The world number 14 said he hurt his ankle earlier in the week.

Isner missed last year’s Australian Open with a knee injury suffered at the Hopman Cup, and is due to play in Auckland next week.