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**JeorgeNoxeref** · 09-13-2008, 05:07 AM

Serena Out \ Marat Safin In

US Open winner and world number 2 Serena Williams has been forced to withdraw from the Hyundai Hopman Cup. She injured her hamstring in the year ending WTA Championships and has not been able to recover in time to prepare adequately for the Perth tournament. She still intends to play the Australian Open.

However, in a boost to the tournament, mercurial Russian star Marat Safin has shelved retirement plans and recommitted to the Hopman: “I’m pleased to confirm my participation in Hopman Cup. It will be special to play with my sister, and I hope we can challenge for the Trophy”.

Tournament Director Paul McNamee said, “Although we are disappointed about Serena not being able to make it, we are delighted Marat Safin will be here. What an outstanding combination he and his sister are”.

Two time Champion James Blake will now be partnered by Meghann Shaughnessy who last year played the first Hopman match for USA, where she defeated Sania Mirza of India. Meghann, winner of six singles and 15 doubles titles on the WTA Tour has had an injury plagued year but retains a special WTA singles ranking of 50.

USA will remain the top seeds for this year’s Hyundai Hopman Cup. Blake, a two time Hopman Champion has spent the last few years ensconced in the world’s top 10 with a career high ranking of 4. He finished the year as the world number 10. The Russian brother/sister combination of world number 3 Dinara Safina and dual Grand Slam Champion Marat Safin will fill the number 2 position and be seeded to meet the USA in the Final.

09-13-2008, 05:07 AM	#1
JeorgeNoxeref Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 369 Senior Member	Serena Out \ Marat Safin In US Open winner and world number 2 Serena Williams has been forced to withdraw from the Hyundai Hopman Cup. She injured her hamstring in the year ending WTA Championships and has not been able to recover in time to prepare adequately for the Perth tournament. She still intends to play the Australian Open. However, in a boost to the tournament, mercurial Russian star Marat Safin has shelved retirement plans and recommitted to the Hopman: “I’m pleased to confirm my participation in Hopman Cup. It will be special to play with my sister, and I hope we can challenge for the Trophy”. Tournament Director Paul McNamee said, “Although we are disappointed about Serena not being able to make it, we are delighted Marat Safin will be here. What an outstanding combination he and his sister are”. Two time Champion James Blake will now be partnered by Meghann Shaughnessy who last year played the first Hopman match for USA, where she defeated Sania Mirza of India. Meghann, winner of six singles and 15 doubles titles on the WTA Tour has had an injury plagued year but retains a special WTA singles ranking of 50. USA will remain the top seeds for this year’s Hyundai Hopman Cup. Blake, a two time Hopman Champion has spent the last few years ensconced in the world’s top 10 with a career high ranking of 4. He finished the year as the world number 10. The Russian brother/sister combination of world number 3 Dinara Safina and dual Grand Slam Champion Marat Safin will fill the number 2 position and be seeded to meet the USA in the Final.
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