With the Australian Open just over a week away, Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens withdrew from warm-up tournaments on Sunday and another American, John Isner, could soon join them. Williams, who lost the final of the Auckland WTA tournament on Saturday, pulled out of the Hobart International, informing officials on Sunday. ''I don't believe she has an injury,'' tournament director Mark Handley said. ''She's played a lot of tough, close matches over in Auckland and in the lead-up to a first Grand Slam (of the season) she's not taking any chances.'' Williams was planning to use the Hobart event as final preparations for the Australian Open which begins Jan. 13. More...