Serena Williams is pulling out of the United States’ Fed Cup semifinal against Russia because of injuries sustained during her fourth-round victory at Wimbledon when she strained her left calf and hurt her left wrist and thumb. Williams will be replaced by Meilen Tu.
On Tuesday, the eight-time Grand Slam singles champion also pulled out of next week’s Western & Southern Financial Group Women’s Open in Ohio.
Russian team had some withdrawals as well: world No. 2 Maria Sharapova won’t play at this weekend’s Fed Cup due to her shoulder injury, and Russian media reported that world No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova would pull out, too.
Serena and her older sister Venus were part of the four-player team announced June 27 by U.S. captain Zina Garrison, along with doubles specialist Lisa Raymond and teenager Vania King. (source: ESPN)
