| ROME (AP) -- Martina Hingis has withdrawn from the Italian
Open with an ankle injury, the fourth top player to be missing from the
women's clay court tournament because of injury.
Hingis, who just relinquished her No. 1 ranking to Lindsay Davenport,
was removed from the draw Sunday, a day before the $1.08 million event
begins play.
Veteran Conchita Martinez, who reached Sunday's final in Berlin, also
withdrew because of a strained tendon in her right foot, organizers said.
Anna Kournikova, who tore a ligament in her left ankle in the same tournament,
pulled out earlier from the Italian Open.
Also missing will be Serena Williams, who did not enter because of a
leg injury.
Davenport heads the field in the Italian Open. Other top players include
Nathalie Tauziat, Venus Williams, Mary Pierce and Monica Seles.
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