Serena to pass up Aussie Open tuneup event

PERTH, Australia, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Open champion Serena Williams says a hamstring injury will keep her out of next month's Hopman Cup, an Australian Open tuneup tournament.

The Hopman event is played in Perth, Australia, in early January, two weeks prior to the open in Melbourne, which begins Jan. 19.

Williams, ranked No. 2 in the world, said she plans to play in the open.

The cup is a mixed-team event.

Williams was to have teamed with fellow American James Blake, who will be paired instead with Meghann Shaughnessy.

The 27-year-old Williams and Blake won the Perth event in 2003.