Davenport Withdraws From Acura Classic

Lindsay Davenport, ranked No. 1 in the world, became the third big-name player to withdraw from the 2005 Acura Classic tennis tournament, which begins at 10 a.m. today at La Costa.

Davenport, 29, who has been runner-up at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, is struggling with a lower back injury that caused her to withdraw from the Bank of the West Classic at Palo Alto last week.

On Sunday her agent, Tony Godsick, said Davenport was having an MRI exam on her back and the results would help determine her schedule leading to the season’s final major championship, the U.S. Open.

Because of Davenport’s late withdrawal there will not be a No. 1-seeded player in the draw.

Defending U.S. Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova, at No. 2, is the highest-seeded player left in the draw. Third-seeded Elena Dementieva moved into Davenport’s vacated position on the draw sheet.

Last week Australian Open winner Serena Williams pulled out because of a left ankle injury that has been bothering her for much of this season, and world No. 2 Maria Sharapova of Russia withdrew, citing a back strain.

Kim Clijsters, seeded seventh, will come to La Costa as the hottest player in the world. Clijsters defeated Venus Williams, 7-5, 6-2, to win the Bank of the West on Sunday. It was Clijsters’ 24th consecutive win in the United States.

With her win Sunday, Clijsters will move up to No. 10 in the WTA rankings, her first time in the top 10 since October. A former No. 1, Clijsters missed much of last season and the first six weeks of this season with wrist, shoulder and knee injuries.

Among the winners Sunday in the qualifying tournament was 18-year-old Sania Mirza, who defeated Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).

Earlier this year Mirza became the first woman from India to win a WTA tournament.

Also, Martina Navratilova, 48, has entered the doubles tournament for the third straight year.

She is paired with Germany’s Anna-Lena Groenefeld. Navratilova advanced to the quarterfinals in 2003 and was in the semifinals in 2004.