Serena gets US Open wildcard

Serena Williams, sidelined for six months this season with a chronic knee injury, has been granted a wildcard into the US Open, tournament officials announced on Wednesday.

The seven-times grand slam singles champion was ranked 139th in the world at the entry deadline for the US Open, while the cut-off for automatic main draw entries was 102.

The 24-year-old Williams, now up to 79th, won the tournament in 1999 and 2002.

Joining Williams as wildcard entries into the singles draw are former top 10 players Chanda Rubin and Australian Alicia Molik.

Mark Philippoussis also received a wildcard entry to Flushing Meadow. – Agencies