Injured Isner and Stephens Out Of Hopman Cup

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 3rd January 2014

Injured Isner and Stephens Out Of Hopman Cup

epa04005692 John Isner of the United States returns to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during their tennis match for the Hopman Cup at Perth Arena in Perth, Australia, 01 January 2014. EPA/TONY MCDONOUGH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

John Isner may be starting to repeat his nightmare scenario of a year ago when an injury at the Hopman Cup forced him from the Australian Open. And surprise Melbourne semi-finalist Sloane Stephens, his Hopman teammate, is also suffering with injury hard luck after withdrawing from a meaningless group match in Perth against the Czech republic with left wrist pain.

The day ended poorly for the six-time champion US, which was eliminated in the group stages of the eight-nation mixed team event. Isner did not play against Czech Radek Stepanek – substituted by Milos Raonic – while Stephens lasted only a set as she quit trailing 6-3.

Stephens will be concerned with just 10 days before the start of the first grand slam of the season.

“I’m going to have a few scans and see how it is. Hopefully it’ll be ok for next week and then for the Open,” she said. “Our team fell apart today. We did our best and we couldn’t finish strong but I think we did pretty well for the week.

Isner explained his physical problem: “I hurt my ankle earlier in the week, in my previous match I was in a bit of pain. When I was practicing yesterday and it was just wasn’t quite feeling right so unfortunately I had to pull out. I feel awful about this but fortunately for the tournament, Milos is stepping in.”

Topics: 10sballs, Hopman Cup, John Isner, milos raonic, Sloane Stephens, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News