Serena Williams’ return to tennis action has been cut short after doubles partner Ons Jabeur withdrew from the Eastbourne tournament because of a knee injury.
The WTA event had seen tennis great Williams, 40, play her first two competitive matches since she limped out of last year’s Wimbledon in tears with a hamstring problem.
The American and Tunisian partner Jabeur made it through to the semi-finals with a narrow last 16 win over Maria Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo, before a more convincing quarter-final victory in straight sets against Shuko Aoyama and Chan Hao-ching.
Williams will now focus on Wimbledon where she has accepted a wild card into the women’s singles in a bid to win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.
She will find out who she faces in the first round when the draw is made on Friday.