Serena Williams’ impressive comeback run at the Eastbourne International is over.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion made her return to tennis after almost a year out through injury at Devonshire Park this week, teaming up with World No3 Ons Jabeur in doubles competition.
The duo outlasted Sara Sorribes Tormo and Marie Bouzkova in the round of 16 on Tuesday before then booking a semi-final spot yesterday by brushing aside Shuko Aoyama and Chan Hao-ching.
They had been due to face Magda Linette and Aleksandra Krunic in the last four on Friday, only to withdraw from the tournament this morning after Jabeur suffered a right knee injury.
Williams will now prepare for her return to Wimbledon, where last year she sustained a serious hamstring injury during the first set of her first-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
The American has been handed a wildcard entry into the main singles draw at SW19, with her world ranking having tumbled all the way down to 1,204 during her near 12 months away from the court.
It is unclear at this stage if Tunisian third seed Jabeur is in danger of missing Wimbledon, which starts at the All England Club on Monday (June 27).
