Tennis latest: Flavia Pennetta withdraws from the Brisbane International
The 28-year-old Flavia Pennetta of Italy has announced her withdrawal from the 2011 Brisbane International on Tuesday.
Flavia, who is currently ranked number 21 in the South African Airways WTA list, pulled out of her Tuesday’s opening round match against her compatriot player Roberta Vinci as a result of illness. The right hander has been replaced
by Christina McHale who is a lucky loser from the United States of America.
The Italian, who made her debut on the WTA tour back in 2000, was scheduled to play in her first tournament of the season after having a descent year on the tour. She started her 2010 campaign with a semi-final run at the ASB Classic
in Auckland where Flavia was defeated at the hands of Yanina Wickmayer. She made her way into the semis after getting the better of Jill Craybas, Carla Suarez Navarro, Dominika Cibulkova and Francesca Schiavone.
Her other season highlights include title victory at the 2010 Andalucia Tennis Experience, semifinal appearance at the 2010 Mercury Insurance Open and quarterfinal showing at the Medibank International.
At the major events, the Swiss resident lost in the second round at Australian Open, fourth round at French Open and third round at Wimbledon.
The news regarding her withdrawal from the tournament came 24 hours after the world number 30 Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia withdrew shortly prior to her first round clash at the Brisbane International on Monday due to an injury.
Daniela is suffering from a tendon injury however still has two complete weeks to recover ahead of the year’s opening Grand Slam, the Australian Open beginning from January 17 in the city of Melbourne. She was scheduled to meet
Russian Anna Chakvetadze in her first round match and was afterwards replaced by Ksenia Pervak, a lucky loser from Russia.
Steve Ayles, who is the director of the tournament, while commenting on Flavia’s withdrawal, said on Tuesday, "This would have been Flavia's first Brisbane International and I know she was looking forward to the event. We are disappointed
for her and wish her all the best for her recovery."
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