Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Williams and Azarenka withdraw from Cincinnati

Serena Williams was scheduled to play 10th seed Sam Stosur in Cincinnati today, but instead, she withdrew from the tournament. The Stanford and Toronto champion woke up today with a swollen big toe on her surgically repaired foot, and decided not to risk further injury. "I don't think this is a good time for me to take a big chance," Williams said, in announcing her withdrawal. The former world number 1 felt some pain yesterday during her first round match against Lucie Hradecka.

Also withdrawing today was 3rd seed Victoria Azarenka. Azarenka withdrew from the Rogers Cup doubles final last week because of a strained right hand, and the hand strain caused her to withdraw today. Azarenka was scheduled to play Shahar Peer; instead, Pauline Parmentier was Peer's opponent. Peer defeated Parmentier in straight sets.

Advancing today were 13th seed Jelena Jankovic (def. qualifier Zheng Jie), Nadia Petrova (def. 15th seed Ana Ivanovic) and Daniela Hantuchova (def. Flavia Pennetta).

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