Serena Williams withdraws from Yarra Valley Classic semi-final against Ash Barty due to injury
Australia's Ash Barty is through to the final of the Yarra Valley Classic after Serena Williams withdrew from the pair's semi-final clash due to an injury.
Barty and Williams were due to face off in a highly-anticipated match-up on Saturday, but Williams has opted to rest instead due to what has been called a "right shoulder injury".
MORE: Barty marches on after coughing up big leads
Going through to the final is great news for Barty, but there's no doubt she would've really enjoyed the Serena tune-up ahead of the Australian Open, particularly after her huge layoff prior to this week.
Serena Williams was forced into a 10-point match tiebreak with fellow American Danielle Collins AP
Williams had earlier expressed her excitement at the upcoming clash against Barty after defeating Danielle Collins in the quarter-final.
"It's definitely a good opportunity to see where I'm going against the current No. 1, that's really important for me," Williams said.
"Obviously I think for her, as well, to see where she's going against my game.
"It's been a long 12 months. Tennis has been played but not really, so ... hopefully this is like a new year where things will be different."
