Tuesday November 1, 2005

DAVENPORT, SHARAPOVA WITHDRAW FROM THE ADVANTA CHAMPIONSHIPS

PHILADELPHIA, PA USA – Lindsay Davenport and Maria Sharapova have been forced to withdraw from this week’s Advanta Championships. Davenport has been diagnosed with the flu while Sharapova recently suffered a right thumb sprain during off-court training.

“I am very disappointed that I am unable to play the Advanta Championships this week,” Davenport stated. “The city of Philadelphia and tournament have been fantastic supporters of women’s tennis and I know will once again put on a great event. The city has always been great to me, in particular Dennis Alter (Chairman and CEO Advanta).” Davenport added, “I am looking forward to getting healthy and defending my year-end No.1 ranking at the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Championships in Los Angeles next week.”

Sharapova also expressed her disappointment in being unable to compete in Philadelphia. “I am extremely disappointed to have to withdraw from the Advanta Championships because of a right thumb sprain. I was hoping that it would be better by now but unfortunately I am not yet able to play.” “The Advanta Championships is a great event and Philadelphia has some of the world’s best tennis fans. I am concentrating on getting healthy and plan on defending my Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Championships title next week in Los Angeles."

Top seeds at the Advanta Championships include two-time defending champion Amelie Mauresmo, who is undefeated in Philadelphia holding a 7-0 win-loss record, and two-time Grand Slam finalist Elena Dementieva, making her debut appearance.