The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Hong Kong

World number one Jelena Jankovic pulled out of the Hong Kong World Team Challenge with flu on Saturday, throwing her Australian Open preparations into disarray.

The Serbian, who came into the tournament looking for vital match practice ahead of the year's opening Grand Slam, said she had been struggling throughout the exhibition tournament. "I have a flu and have been feeling weak and sick for the last couple of days. I really have been trying my best to go on the court but I feel slow and (have had) no reactions," she said.

"I wanted to go out there for the crowd. It's an exhibition event and as well I think it was a great opportunity for me to play some matches and try to get in form before the Australian Open but sometimes you cannot control it.

"Nobody likes to be sick and now I'm on medication and I have to rest and try to recover as fast as possible and then we will see how everything will go."

Jankovic, 23, said she was flying to Melbourne later Saturday, ahead of the start of the Australian Open on January 19.

Her withdrawal from the Hong Kong event, which features teams from Russia, Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific, leaves her short of vital match practice at the start of the season.