Keothavong's season ended by knee injury

(GETTY IMAGES)

Anne Keothavong's season was brought to a premature end last night when the British No 1 learnt she had torn both the anterior cruciate ligaments and a meniscus cartilage in her left knee.

The 25-year-old from Hackney had a scan yesterday after suffering the injury during a match at the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, California, on Tuesday evening. She is due to fly home today and will have surgery at the earliest opportunity.

The Briton, who suffered a similar injury to her right knee four years ago, feared the worst after running into a fence while chasing down a drop shot in a doubles match. She was carried off the court on a stretcher.

"I tried to avoid the fence and in doing so I twisted my knee," Keothavong said last night. "I'll have to rehab for the rest of the season. Of course, I'm disappointed to be out for the rest of the season, but I'll continue to work with my team and look forward to coming back next season."

It is a desperately unlucky end to what had already become a disappointing summer for Keothavong. She was beaten 6-0, 6-0 by Dinara Safina in the first round of the French Open and burst into tears after losing to Patricia Mayr at the same stage at Wimbledon. In the first round of the singles at Stanford this week she lost to Elena Dementieva.

Keothavong had been keen to find some form in the run-up to next month's US Open, where she had significant ranking points to defend after her run to the third round last year.

Rafael Nadal, meanwhile, cast doubt on his scheduled return at next month's Montreal Masters after nearly two months out because of tendinitis in his knees.

The Spaniard resumed training last week but is uncertain about his fitness. "I will have to push it in the next few days and see," he said.