• Hopman Cup

Isner struck down by knee injury

John Isner will look to remedy a knee complaint ahed of the Australian Open © PA Photos

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John Isner is another player to emerge as a doubt for the Australian Open after pulling out of the Hopman Cup on account of a knee injury.

Isner, representing USA, had looked restricted in his losses to South Africa's Kevin Anderson and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France and he withdrew prior to his match with Spain's Fernando Verdasco.

Verdasco was given a 6-0 6-0 win, which resulted in Spain being handed a place in the final and dashed Venus Williams' hope of becoming a Hopman Cup winner. Isner is unsure of what the problem is, but will seek out medical advice in a bid to be fit for the Australian Open which begins on January 14.

"I don't actually know if it's tendonitis, it's just sore," he said. "It's causing me a little bit of trouble and from that I'm not able to, to really load the right way and you know I'm not really going for my shots like I should.

"I will treat it the best I can and see how it reacts. I do know that I've always been a fast healer when I have had real injuries pop up here and there so I'm confident I'm going to be fine for the Australian Open."

Williams will head to the Australian Open in confident mood as she won her rubber against Anabel Medina Garrigues. After a torrid time with injuries and illness, Williams is positive about being able to challenge in the slams.

"This year it's just about building on it and continuing to play deep into draws and putting myself into position to play well deep into the tournaments," she said.

In the evening session, Australia beat Italy 2-1 thanks, in part, to another win for Bernard Tomic. The youngster followed up Wednesday's victory over Novak Djokovic with a 6-3 7-5 triumph over Andreas Seppi, before Ashleigh Barty saw off Francesca Schiavone 6-0 6-3.

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