In opening round action at the 2012 Brisbane International, the final tuneup before the first Grand Slam of 2012, the Australian Open, American Serena Williams twisted her ankle in a match against Serbia’s Bojana Jovanovski. After medical treatment on the court, Serena played through the pain and was an eventual 6-2, 6-4 winner over Jovanovski to advance to the quarterfinals. Serena left the court without commenting, and tournament officials said she was being examined by a doctor.
Australian Samantha Stosur, the 2011 U.S. Open champion, was upset 6-4, 6-2 by Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic. Stosur has never advanced beyond the second round at her home tournament. With the win, the 54th-ranked Benesova advances to the quarterfinals where she will face 2011 Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters.