Venus joins sister in casualty list

MADRID – Venus Williams joined sister Serena on the sidelines of the Madrid Open on Tuesday after the third-ranked American player was beaten, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, by Alisa Kleybanova.

Serena, who retired from her match on Monday with a right knee injury, watched on from the stands as Kleybanova picked her shots well and ran Williams ragged throughout the 2 hours, 12-minute contest.

After splitting the first two sets, Kleybanova broke early for a 2-0 lead as Williams’ backhand misfired.

Williams broke the 26th-ranked Russian as she served for the match to level the set at 5-5.

But Williams continued to be troubled by erratic play as she lost her serve, eventually hitting long on match point to hand Kleybanova – who knocked Ana Ivanovic out of the Australian Open earlier this year – a pass into the third round.

“I felt like she won by just being aggressive from both sides (of the court),” Williams said. “Against me she had to go for everything.” (AP)