Serena pulls out again

Linz: Serena Williams has pulled out of next week’s Generali Ladies Linz tournament after renewed problems with her right foot. Organisers said, in a statement Sunday, that Williams felt pain while training in Florida on Saturday, and that a subsequent scan showed that her injury hasn’t healed properly.

Rain halt

Beijing: The singles finals at the China Open will be completed on Monday, after heavy rain halted play on Sunday, with champion Novak Djokovic leading David Ferrer 3-1. Caroline Wozniacki will have to wait another 24 hours before she can face Vera Zvonareva.

Nadal wins

Tokyo: Top ranked Rafael Nadal overpowered No.5 seed Gael Monfils 6-1, 7-5 to win his first Japan Open title Sunday.

Anand draws

Bilbao: Vishwanathan Anand got an easy draw as black against Alexei Shirov, in the first round of Bilbao final masters Sunday.

Pattinson out

Melbourne: Victorian fast bowler James Pattinson has been ruled out of Australia’s ODI squad for the VB Tour of India after having developed the early stages of a low back bone stress injury, Cricket Australia medical staff confirmed Sunday.

Pattinson will be replaced by Victorian bowling all-rounder and his Bushrangers team mate John Hastings, according to a media release.