Injury catches up with tennis star Kuznetsova in Beijing
Thursday, 20 September 2007
BEIJING, Sept 19 (AFP): An abdominal muscle injury Wednesday forced titleholder Svetlana Kuznetsova to withdraw before the start of her opening match at the China Open.
The strain of playing a US Open final two weekends ago followed by her feat in leading Russia to the Fed Cup trophy just days ago in Moscow proved to be to much for the top seed.
Her place in the 32-woman draw will be taken by Argentine Maria Emilia Salerni, who faced American Abigail Spears in the second round after a bye.
Kuznetsova said that her body just gave out under the intense pressure of the past few weeks.
The strain of playing a US Open final two weekends ago followed by her feat in leading Russia to the Fed Cup trophy just days ago in Moscow proved to be to much for the top seed.
Her place in the 32-woman draw will be taken by Argentine Maria Emilia Salerni, who faced American Abigail Spears in the second round after a bye.
Kuznetsova said that her body just gave out under the intense pressure of the past few weeks.