US Open champion Kim Clijsters is disappointed not to be facing Serena Williams in the Billie Jean King Cup.
Belgian laments Williams' withdrawal ahead of exhibition
US Open champion Kim Clijsters is disappointed not to be facing Serena Williams when she returns to New York for the Billie Jean King Cup.
The Belgian world number 17 will face Ana Ivanovic in the four-player exhibition on Monday night at Madison Square Garden after Williams withdrew with a leg injury.
American Williams, ranked number one in the world, fell to Clijsters in their US Open semi-final match last year following her infamous tirade against a line judge, and the Belgian was looking forward to renewing their rivalry.
"It's always disappointing when such a great champion pulls out," said Clijsters.
"I'm sure she would have loved being here. I'm hoping she gets better and that we'll be able to see her in Miami."
Winners
The other one-set semi-final features Venus Williams against Svetlana Kuznetsova, with the winners set to engage in a best-of-three final.
Williams, who will enter the competition on the back of triumphs at the clay-court Mexican Open on Saturday and the Dubai Championships, is hoping she can adapt to the different surface.
"I'm just going to try to make a quick adjustment back to hardcourts again," said Venus.
"Flip-flopping surfaces, which is never that easy, but I'm up for the challenge."
King, who did TV commentary at the inaugural event last year, is not expected to attend on Monday night as she is recovering from a recent double-knee replacement.
"While my heart and mind are with you for this great event, my body is still recovering from the double-knee replacement I underwent just a few weeks ago," said King in a statement.
