RAA
Jul 29th, 2003, 01:06 PM
From cnnsi.com..
Serena withdraws from Acura Classic
Posted: Monday July 28, 2003 9:53 PM
Updated: Monday July 28, 2003 10:43 PM
CARLSBAD, Calif. (AP) -- Mary Pierce scored an overpowering 6-1, 6-3 victory over Virginia Razzano in the first round of the Acura Classic on Monday, the same day top-ranked Serena Williams withdrew from the tournament because of a left quadriceps strain.
Williams, winner of five of the past six Grand Slam titles, withdrew Monday night because she was feeling considerable pain in her left knee due to the injury, WTA Tour spokesman Darrell Fry said.
Williams, the top draw for the event that includes seven of the top 10 ranked women, canceled an afternoon interview session because she was visiting a Los Angeles-area doctor to be examined for the injury, which originally was believed to be tendinitis.
She cited the same injury when she withdrew before the start of last week's Bank of the West Classic, won by No. 2-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne.
Pierce, a two-time Grand Slam winner who reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 just three years ago, had little trouble in dispatching Razzano.
Pierce, whose ranking has plunged to No. 73 after three injury-plagued seasons, jumped out to leads of 5-1 and 5-2 en route to the victory.
In other first-round matches, Eleni Daniilidou defeated Rita Grande 7-5, 6-3; Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Leslie Koffi 6-2, 6-1; Magui Serna eliminated Laura Granville 6-3, 6-3; Tina Pisnik downed Paola Suarez, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5; and Marion Bartoli beat Marissa Irvin 7-6 (2), 6-4.
Serena withdraws from Acura Classic
Posted: Monday July 28, 2003 9:53 PM
Updated: Monday July 28, 2003 10:43 PM
CARLSBAD, Calif. (AP) -- Mary Pierce scored an overpowering 6-1, 6-3 victory over Virginia Razzano in the first round of the Acura Classic on Monday, the same day top-ranked Serena Williams withdrew from the tournament because of a left quadriceps strain.
Williams, winner of five of the past six Grand Slam titles, withdrew Monday night because she was feeling considerable pain in her left knee due to the injury, WTA Tour spokesman Darrell Fry said.
Williams, the top draw for the event that includes seven of the top 10 ranked women, canceled an afternoon interview session because she was visiting a Los Angeles-area doctor to be examined for the injury, which originally was believed to be tendinitis.
She cited the same injury when she withdrew before the start of last week's Bank of the West Classic, won by No. 2-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne.
Pierce, a two-time Grand Slam winner who reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 just three years ago, had little trouble in dispatching Razzano.
Pierce, whose ranking has plunged to No. 73 after three injury-plagued seasons, jumped out to leads of 5-1 and 5-2 en route to the victory.
In other first-round matches, Eleni Daniilidou defeated Rita Grande 7-5, 6-3; Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Leslie Koffi 6-2, 6-1; Magui Serna eliminated Laura Granville 6-3, 6-3; Tina Pisnik downed Paola Suarez, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5; and Marion Bartoli beat Marissa Irvin 7-6 (2), 6-4.