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Venus Williams Withdraws From 2011 Australian Open

The Americans are out on the women's side of the Australian Open. American Venus Williams was forced to retire from her third-round due to a hip injury she suffered in her win over Sandra Zahlavova. 

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The match lasted just seven points as Andrea Petkovic advanced to the fourth-round with Williams deciding to withdraw due to her injury. Petkovic will face Maria Sharapova in the fourth-round. The possible Williams/Sharapova match had been anticipated by many tennis fans, but alas, the injury to Williams will not allow her to continue playing in the Australian Open.

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Williams has never won the Australian Open. Her best finish was in 2003 when she advanced to the finals before losing to her sister, Serena Williams,  7-6, 3-6, 6-4. Venus does boast seven Grand Slam titles - five of which are Wimbledon titles - and seven runner-ups. Venus' last Grand Slam final appearance came in 2009 at Wimbledon when she lost - again - to her sister Serena. 

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Photographs by jamesbrandon, jdtornow, phlezk, flygraphix, mcdlttx, tomasland, and literalbarrage used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.