Venus Gains Open Boost In Sister's Absence
The Sunday Age
Sunday January 11, 2004
Eleventh-ranked Venus Williams has been surprisingly elevated to No. 3 in Australian Open seedings on the recommendation of the WTA Tour, in a move supported by Lindsay Davenport, a loser in the reshuffle.
Serena Williams withdrew from the balance of the summer circuit late on Friday, nearly three weeks after being replaced by Davenport in the Hopman Cup. The younger Williams cited an inadequate preparation after surgery in August to repair a partial tear of the quadriceps tendon in her left knee.
And Venus, it seems, is the main beneficiary. The elder Williams vaults over seven higher-ranked players, including world No. 5 Davenport and No. 4 Amelie Mauresmo, despite this week's Hong Kong Challenge exhibition tournament being her first competition since she aggravated an abdominal strain while losing the Wimbledon final to her sister on July 5.
Nevertheless Venus was back on the winner's podium last night after a straight-sets victory over Russia's Maria Sharapova in Hong Kong. Williams dug deep to outclass her 16-year-old opponent 7-5, 6-3. ``That's what made me happy - to play well. It's been too long, too long, but it's great to be back," she said.
Protected rankings are entrenched in the rules of both the men's and women's tours to help players returning from long absences, but Wimbledon is the only grand slam that traditionally departs from the official computer lists for its seedings, by taking grasscourt results into account. As the field now stands, Venus would have been the 10th seed at Melbourne Park this year.
``Venus will be seeded third behind (Justine) Henin-Hardenne and (Kim) Clijsters under a special seeding that the WTA has recommended for the next group of tournaments," Australian Open chief executive Paul McNamee said.
Davenport was not worried by Williams's elevation. ``It is something that was decided by our tour about eight weeks ago - it's something they like to do," she said. ``I'm not against it; in the past I have benefited. It's unfortunate that I'm the one affected but that's how it goes."
Serena Williams announced her withdrawal on her website. ``After conferring with my trainers and coaches, we really don't think I've had sufficient time to prepare and train for (the Australian Open)," she wrote. ``My knee feels great, but rehabilitation took a little longer than I expected. I'm on the courts, and look forward to coming back in championship form."
With Serena out, and Clijsters and Jennifer Capriati among the doubtful, Davenport nominated Henin-Hardenne as front-runner. Capriati aside, Davenport and Mary Pierce are the only former champions left in a women's field that could also be without Australia's Alicia Molik. -- with AFP
Davenport back SPORT 11
© 2004 The Sunday Age
