Tennis: Pierce withdraws from Zurich open

ZURICH - France's Mary Pierce, who won her second Kremlin Cup title on Sunday, has withdrawn from this week's Zurich Open with a right quadriceps strain.

"I had an MRI in Paris yesterday (Tuesday) and it revealed that I have a problem with my right quad, similar to the problem I had during the summer but in a different spot," said Pierce, a beaten finalist in the French and US Opens this year.

"I had a great tournament in Moscow last week but physically I was pushed to the limit, and now I am paying a price for that."

The 30-year-old, who has won 25 of her last 28 matches, rose to number five in the world rankings this week, her highest since 2000.

Pierce is replaced in the draw by Bulgarian teenager Sesil Karatantcheva.

- REUTERS