Serena Retires, Davenport in Final at Dubai

Posted on March 5, 2005

Serena Williams derailed the foreseeable all-American final at the WTA stop in Dubai on Friday, retiring in the second set against Jelena Jankovic at 0-6, 3-4 with an arm injury.

The injury-and-illness-ridden American also defaulted in her last event in the quarterfinals at the Paris Open.

"When I came into this event I had a shoulder problem," Serena said. "I honestly believe it's the balls, because the last time I had this problem was at the (WTA) Championships. They used the same balls and that resulted in a severe stomach strain. Ever since I've been practicing I've been getting the same symptoms. My arm's hurting really bad where I serve. My whole arm hurts, except for my hand and my wrist. That's doing excellent right now. But everything else hurts, which could lead to another abdominal strain. I have a strained shoulder tendon, I guess."

In the final the unseeded Jankovic will have her hands full against world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport, who came from a set down to defeat Swiss Patty Schnyder 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.

"In the first set I felt so wild," said Davenport, who suffered from an upset stomach during the match. "I was trying so hard and the balls were just flying on me. It was so hard keeping balls in. Finally I got my shots inside the lines and didn't go for so much and I was able to play a little bit more percentage tennis."

Davenport has won both her meetings with Jankovic in straight sets.

The doubles final will be (1) Ruano Pascual/Suarez (d. (WC) Hantuchova/Schiavone in three in the semis) against (2) Kuznetsova/Molik (d. Yan/Zheng).