Tennis: Zvonareva to miss Australian Open

MELBOURNE: Former world number two Vera Zvonareva of Russia has pulled out of the Australian Open (AO) with a shoulder injury, said organisers of the opening grand slam of the season yesterday. The injury-prone 28-year-old 2010 Wimbledon and US Open finalist will also miss the Auckland Classic starting on December 31. Tournament director Karl Budge lamented world number 96 Zvonareva’s last minute withdrawal but insisted the Auckland tournament still enjoyed a strong field. “We have six top 30 players gracing our courts in just over a week’s time headlined by world number four Agnieszka Radwanska, who is in world-beating form,” said Budge. “We also have three former champions competing with 2003 and 2004 winner Elena Daniilidou given a wildcard yesterday.” Zheng Jie of China will be defending her title in Auckland.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2012.