One of the women’s Australian Open lead-in events has been robbed of a blockbuster finals match-up after American great Serena Williams withdrew with a shoulder complaint.
The 23-times major champion was drawn to meet Australian world No.1 Ashleigh Barty in the semi-finals of the Yarra Valley Classic, but withdrew late on Friday.
Barty, set to to play the Australian Open, her first grand slam event in 12 months, starting on Monday, receives a walkover to the final, where she will play either Garbine Muguruza or Marketa Vondrousova, of the Czech Republic.
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