Mauresmo Set to Withdraw

Amelie Mauresmo, who suffered a serious lower back injury during the Australian Open in January, has not recovered fully and is expected to pull out of the Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells, which starts next week.

The announcement may be made as early as today.

Mauresmo, 24, of France, would have been seeded third at Indian Wells, behind top-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne and defending champion Kim Clijsters, both of Belgium.

Women’s first-round play is scheduled to begin Wednesday at Indian Wells, with qualifying starting Monday.

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Russian teenager Maria Sharapova will appear at a luncheon today at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad to promote the Acura Classic. That tournament, July 26-Aug. 1, will offer $1.3 million in prize money, joining the elite level of Tier I events on the WTA Tour. Other Tier I tournaments in the United States are played at Indian Wells, Miami and Charleston, S.C.

In another change, the La Costa tournament will now be the week after the event at Carson, instead of the week before.