Tennis: Heineken Open loses top seed to injury

12.25pm


Top seed and world tennis No 5 Guillermo Coria has withdrawn from the 2004 Heineken Open in Auckland after suffering from an abdominal strain.

Coria, who turned 22 yesterday, visited a hospital and was advised by medical staff to not continue playing.

Tournament director Graham Pearce said Coria was not carrying an injury coming into the tournament but appeared to suffer discomfort in his first round 7-6 (4) 6-3 victory over Nicholas Kiefer of Germany.

"The tournament and the tennis public are extremely disappointed that Guillermo has had to withdraw from the Heineken Open due to injury," Pearce said.

"It is important that the health of a young tennis player with a brilliant future is protected and medical advice must be followed."

Coria was to play Dominik Hrbaty in the second round of the singles today. Hrbaty will receive a walkover into the quarter-finals.

Coria's next tournament is the Australian Open in Melbourne starting next week.

- NZPA