Tennis: Rain delays Serena Williams' opening match

Serena Williams' much-anticipated first outing in Auckland has been delayed.

Play has been abandoned at the ASB Classic due to rain, and won't start again tonight.

Ballboys were on court drying the surface with towels when there was a break in the weather.

Tournament organisers announced they had abandoned evening play just after 9pm.

Inclement weather dogged the first day of the tournament, with showers off and on since 1pm

Naomi Osaka (JPN) in action against Annika Beck (GER) this afternoon. Photo / Dean Purcell

Williams' match, with French world No 70 Pauline Parmentier, was scheduled to start 30 minutes after the completion of the Osaka-Beck match.

If there is less than one hour of play of the night session, ticketholders will be entitled to a 50 per cent refund of their ticket price.

Box tickets, annual season tickets, complimentary tickets, ground passes and five year passes do not qualify for the refund policy.

Serena Williams during a training session on centre court. Photo / photosport.co.nz