Serena Williams retires ill at Wuhan Open

Serena Williams. AP FILE PHOTO

WUHAN — Top seed Serena Williams had to be helped from the court as she retired ill during her first set at the inaugural Wuhan Open in China on Tuesday.

The world number one had her temperature and blood pressure checked before retiring while 6-5 up against France’s Alize Cornet, after just over an hour on court.

It brought an abrupt end to Williams’ first match since she won her 18th Grand Slam title at the US Open in New York two weeks ago.

The incident is another heavy blow for the Wuhan Open after poster girl and hometown hero Li Na quit tennis over injuries on the eve of the tournament.

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