Swiss tennis star Martina Hingis has pulled out of the Italian Open starting tomorrow because of a foot injury. Hingis underwent medical tests after losing 7-5 6-4 to Spain's Conchita Martinez in their German Open semi-final yesterday and accepted she should take a rest.
The injury was not serious and should not threaten her participation in the next major the French Open starting on the 29th of May. The 19-year-old will lose the number one spot to Lindsay Davenport when the new rankings are released tomorrow.
Meanwhile Brazil's Gustavo Kuerten will defend his Masters Series title against Sweden's Magnus Norman today in Rome. Norman was the first man into the final when he hammered Aussie teenager Lleyton Hewitt 6-3, 6-0 yesterday evening in just over an hour.
