Serena pulls out, hurt Clijsters also major doubt for US Open
Source: Agencies |
August 22, 2010, Sunday
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SERENA Williams has pulled out of the US Open because she is still recovering from surgery on her right foot, the American world No. 1 said on Friday.
Williams, who won her 13th grand slam at Wimbledon earlier this year, cut her foot on broken glass at a restaurant in July and has not played since.
"It is with much frustration and deep sadness that I am having to pull out of the US Open," Williams said on the tournament's Website. "My doctors have advised against my playing so that my foot can heal."
A three-time winner at Flushing Meadows, Williams absence will be a blow to US title hopes with her sister Venus, the world No. 5, the only other American ranked in the top 40.
With Belgian Justine Henin announcing last Wednesday she would not be fit to play in the US Open and defending champion Kim Clijsters losing in Montreal after an injury scare, the year's final grand slam, starting on August 30, is shaping up as a wide open affair.
"There are still so many other big names out there who can do well," said Clijsters, who promised to be in Flushing Meadows to defend her crown despite a nagging hip injury that will require an MRI next week. "Serena and Justine are two big names but there are plenty more out there.
"I don't look at the draw in that kind of way, I just focus on my matches and obviously now I am trying to be in the best shape possible to compete."
A firm fan favorite, Williams is sure to be missed especially after her explosive and controversial exit from last year's event.
Foot fault
Called for a foot fault in her semifinal against Clijsters, Williams exploded in an ugly outburst threatening a line judge during a confrontation that ultimately cost her the match.
"It doesn't change much," said Russian Vera Zvonareva, who lost to Williams in the Wimbledon final in early July and beat an ailing Clijsters 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the Rogers Cup quarterfinal on Friday.
"Serena is a great player and is great to watch but there are so many great players."
As Clijsters was being questioned about her fitness, world No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki -- the player the Belgian beat last year to win the US Open -- was sending a message of her own by blasting her way into the semifinals in Montreal with a 6-3, 6-2 win over French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy.
The Dane had extra reason to smile after learning that she will likely be seeded No. 1 at the US Open after Serena's pullout. "It's something special to be the first seed at a grand slam," Wozniacki told reporters. "But it doesn't really matter for me if I am first seed or second seed."
Wozniacki will next face in-form Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, who booked her semifinal spot with a ruthless 6-1, 6-3 win over China's Zheng Jie.
The first Russian woman to win the US Open, Kuznetsova is also hitting her stride on the North American hardcourts, claiming her 13th career title in San Diego two weeks ago.
The other semifinal will pit Wimbledon finalist Zvonareva against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who moved on with a 6-2, 7-6 (6) win over Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli.
Williams, who won her 13th grand slam at Wimbledon earlier this year, cut her foot on broken glass at a restaurant in July and has not played since.
"It is with much frustration and deep sadness that I am having to pull out of the US Open," Williams said on the tournament's Website. "My doctors have advised against my playing so that my foot can heal."
A three-time winner at Flushing Meadows, Williams absence will be a blow to US title hopes with her sister Venus, the world No. 5, the only other American ranked in the top 40.
With Belgian Justine Henin announcing last Wednesday she would not be fit to play in the US Open and defending champion Kim Clijsters losing in Montreal after an injury scare, the year's final grand slam, starting on August 30, is shaping up as a wide open affair.
"There are still so many other big names out there who can do well," said Clijsters, who promised to be in Flushing Meadows to defend her crown despite a nagging hip injury that will require an MRI next week. "Serena and Justine are two big names but there are plenty more out there.
"I don't look at the draw in that kind of way, I just focus on my matches and obviously now I am trying to be in the best shape possible to compete."
A firm fan favorite, Williams is sure to be missed especially after her explosive and controversial exit from last year's event.
Foot fault
Called for a foot fault in her semifinal against Clijsters, Williams exploded in an ugly outburst threatening a line judge during a confrontation that ultimately cost her the match.
"It doesn't change much," said Russian Vera Zvonareva, who lost to Williams in the Wimbledon final in early July and beat an ailing Clijsters 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the Rogers Cup quarterfinal on Friday.
"Serena is a great player and is great to watch but there are so many great players."
As Clijsters was being questioned about her fitness, world No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki -- the player the Belgian beat last year to win the US Open -- was sending a message of her own by blasting her way into the semifinals in Montreal with a 6-3, 6-2 win over French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy.
The Dane had extra reason to smile after learning that she will likely be seeded No. 1 at the US Open after Serena's pullout. "It's something special to be the first seed at a grand slam," Wozniacki told reporters. "But it doesn't really matter for me if I am first seed or second seed."
Wozniacki will next face in-form Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, who booked her semifinal spot with a ruthless 6-1, 6-3 win over China's Zheng Jie.
The first Russian woman to win the US Open, Kuznetsova is also hitting her stride on the North American hardcourts, claiming her 13th career title in San Diego two weeks ago.
The other semifinal will pit Wimbledon finalist Zvonareva against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who moved on with a 6-2, 7-6 (6) win over Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli.
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