Venus beats Mirza

HONG KONG: An injured Venus Williams came back after a time-out to beat rising Indian star Sania Mirza 6-3, 6-3 at the Champions Challenge exhibition tournament in Hong Kong on Thursday. Williams struggled at the start, kicking off the match with two double faults and losing her opening service game. Williams next faces World No 1 Lindsay Davenport in the semi-finals. — AP

Agassi pulls out

MELBOURNE: Andre Agassi withdrew from the Australian Open on Thursday due to a lingering ankle injury. Agassi Enterprises Inc issued a statement saying Agassi had withdrawn from both the Kooyong exhibition event next week and the Australian Open. Earlier on Thursday, world No 2 Rafael Nadal of Spain pulled out of next week’s Sydney International with an ongoing left foot problem, and his place at the Australian Open is in doubt. — AP