Losing a Headache for Serena in WTA Linz LossPosted on October 28, 2004  An ailing Serena Williams was beaten in straight sets Wednesday by Russian qualifier Alina Jidkova at the WTA stop in Linz, putting in question her hopes of qualifying for the year-end WTA Championships.Complaining of a headache, Serena called for the trainer down a break in the second set before taking some tablets and finishing the match. It was the first time Serena lost in the opening round of a tournament in almost five years. "I'm really disappointed but I felt dizzy and had absolutely no energy," Williams said. "I already had the symptoms yesterday during training -- I feel so tired." Serena will likely need to put in a solid effort next week at Philadelphia, the last week of regular-season play on the WTA Tour, to qualify for the year-ending WTA Championships. No. 7 seed Patty "Handshake" Schnyder was also an upset victim, beaten easily by Jelena Jankovic. Seeds into the quarterfinals Wednesday were Russians No. 5 Nadia Petrova (d. countrywoman Likhovtseva in three) and No. 9 Elena "Lena" Bovina (d. Bartoli), with wildcard Barbara "I Give a" Schett (d. (Q) Sucha) also making the cut. Thursday's line-up in Linz is Vera "The Crying Game" Zvonareva vs. Dechy, Mauresmo vs. Domachowska, Schett vs. Jankovic, Hantuchova vs. Sugiyama, and Shaughnessy vs. Schruff. |
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