Venus pulls out of Australian Open with injury

Fourth seed Venus Williams retired from her Australian Open third round match against Germany's Andrea Petkovic with injury on Friday after lasting just seven points.

The seven-times Grand Slam champion pulled up with what appeared to be a groin strain after lunging for a return with the German leading by a game and 30-0 in Melbourne.

- Images from the Australian Open

Petkovic moves on to face former champion Maria Sharapova in the fourth round.

Williams strained a muscle in the same area during her second round victory over Czech Sandra Zahlavova on Wednesday.

Her retirement leaves a Grand Slam without an American woman in the last 16 for only the fourth time, the last time coming at the French Open in 2008.