Zvonareva suffers injury blow

Vera Zvonareva faces a race against time to be fit for the Australian Open after suffering a re-occurance of an ankle injury.

Ankle injury continues to frustrate Russian

World number nine Vera Zvonareva faces a race against time to be fit for the Australian Open after pulling out of her singles match at the Hong Kong Tennis Classic with an ankle injury. The 25-year-old Russian, who reached the semi-finals in Melbourne last year, was set to face world number seven Victoria Azarenka at the ongoing event. But, having undergone surgery in November after withdrawing from the season-ending Tour Championship, she was forced out as the ankle swelled up after Wednesday's win over Japanese teenager Ayumi Morita. Zvonareva is hopeful of competing in Saturdays doubles with compatriot Yevgeny Kafelnikov against Azarenka and Stefan Edberg. "It's frustrating as I am looking for match practice, but hopefully it'll settle down so I can take my place in the doubles tomorrow," said Zvonareva.