Tennis Round-upJelena Dokic is most unlikely to play in this month's Australian Open, after withdrawing from the International tournament in Sydney, citing lack of fitness.
The former Wimbledon semi-finalist had already withdrawn from this week's Auckland tournament - citing "personal reasons" - but was expected to play in the traditional grand slam warm-up event which starts in Sydney this weekend. Instead, she has announced her withdrawal because of a lack of fitness.
She remains in the Australian Open draw but her participation is doubtful. Dokic's controversial father Damir was reported yesterday as saying his daughter does not want to return Down Under because she still believes the 2001 Australian Open draw was fixed.
Three years ago, Dokic was pitched against Lindsay Davenport in the first round and has not played in Australia since - with her family moving from Sydney to Belgrade.
Meanwhile, Marat Safin muscled his way past Jiri Novak 6-7 7-6 6-3 yesterday to give his Russian side victory in their Hopman Cup tie with the Czech Republic in Perth.
Anastasia Myskina had earlier nosed the Russians ahead with a 6-3 7-6 win over 17-year-old Barbora Strycova, before Safin downed Novak. But Strycova and Novak still had a major part to play at the A$1 million ITF mixed team competition as their 3-6 7-6 11-9 super tie-break victory in the mixed doubles left Russia needing a clean sweep against the US today.
In fact, Safin and Myskina can now not afford to lose a set against Lindsay Davenport and James Blake if they are to pip the Americans into tomorrow's final and a clash with Australia.
