Serena Williams hit by fatigue in Perth

World No.1 Serena Williams was left searching for answers after her unexplained tiredness continued during her shock 6-2 6-1 Hopman Cup loss to Canadian Eugenie Bouchard on Tuesday night.

Williams, who needed a mid-match coffee hit to get over Italian Flavia Pennetta on Monday, again looked flat in her second match of the year.

The 33-year-old battled to hold serve throughout the 50-minute contest, and appeared lethargic in her attempts to chase down balls.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m so tired,” Williams said after the match.

“It’s weird. I can’t get my body to move. I feel like I’ve got no energy.

“It’s a little frustrating because I know I can play two thousand times better.”

Williams arrived in Perth from America on Saturday, but she doesn’t think the fatigue is purely due to jetlag.

“I’ve been trying to rest up,” Williams said.

“I did a little gym work, but I just felt depleted. I don’t know why. I don’t know how to describe it.

“I’ve just got to get my feet moving. I have to figure it out. Hopefully I can do better in the next match.”

Bouchard, who had lost her previous two encounters to the 18-time major champion, capitalised on her opponent’s lethargy with some sharp ground strokes to give Canada a 1-0 lead in the tie.

“I know she didn’t definitely play her best,” Bouchard said.

“Maybe she needed another coffee. I know she can serve amazing. But I’m happy I stayed with it and held my nerve to the end.”

John Isner will need to beat Vasek Pospisil in the men’s singles rubber in order to keep the top-seeded US in the tie.

Bouchard, who suffered a 6-0 6-4 loss to Lucie Safarova on Sunday, was pleased with how she responded against Williams.

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