Beijing tennis takes a tumble

2008-08-09 15:15

Beijing - Tatiana Golovin followed fellow blonde pin-up Maria Sharapova into the Olympics casualty ward on Saturday while the Beijing event then braced itself for the potential withdrawal of world number one-elect Jelena Jankovic.

The Games tennis tournament also saw Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic pull out on Saturday to join Davis Cup teammates Mario Ancic and Ivo Karlovic as no-shows delivering further bodyblows to a sport whose presence in the Olympics bitterly divides opinion.

Lindsay Davenport, the 1996 gold medallist, had, like Sharapova, already withdrawn from the singles but fans and organisers at least had the assurance that the veteran American would play in the doubles.

America's former world number one Andy Roddick and fellow top 10 player Richard Gasquet of France had opted not to play in China, preferring to concentrate on their preparations for the season's last Grand Slam, the US Open which starts in two weeks.

Injury-plagued Golovin, France's world number 23, underwent a hip operation last winter and hadn't played since May missing both the French Open and Wimbledon.

She was hopeful of playing here until she was laid low with a back injury.

"We're really disappointed for her. After planning a return for the Olympics, it's another setback," said Dominguez.

Jankovic, who will replace Serbian compatriot Ana Ivanovic as world number one on Monday, admitted she was a doubtful after picking up a calf strain.

"If I can't play, if I'm not going to be able to give my best on the court, I will not go. It's not a risk I will take," said the 23-year-old whose calf is heavily strapped.

Jankovic is due to play Zimbabwe's Cara Black in the first round on Sunday.

Former world number three Ljubicic, who has slipped to 51 in the rankings, withdrew with an unspecified injury and his place was taken by Devon Mullings of Bahamas, the world 1025, who now plays Argentina's Agustin Calleri in the first round.

Karlovic, the world number 18 who recently defeated Roger Federer in Cincinnati, pulled out on Friday after developing a high temperature while Ancic withdrew earlier this month, also due to illness, leaving rising youngster Marin Cilic as Croatia's only men's hope.

The sport's poster girl Maria Sharapova decided not to play last week after suffering a shoulder injury.

- AFP