Serena Williams bowed out of her scheduled Hopman Cup opener with Australia’s Elina Svitolina, citing knee inflammation.
But the 21-time major champion, who has not played since the U.S. Open last September, said she’ll likely be all good for Team U.S.A.’s next match against the Aussies on Tuesday.
Williams was replaced by 20-year-old Vicky Duval, who fell to Svitolina, 6-4, 6-1. Alexandr Dolgopolov defeated Jack Sock, 6-4, 6-2, to give the Ukraine the win.
Duval and Sock paired to take the mixed doubles over Svitolina and Dolgopolov in straight sets.
Duval, who was proclaimed cancer-free last year after a battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, continues to win praise for her positivity and promise.