April 8, 2005 Serena Injures Ankle, Davenport Denies Venus in QF AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. - After a day filled with rain falling across Amelia Island, Day 5 was quite busy for many players at the Bausch & Lomb Championships. With just two third round matches completed before showers wiped out most of Thursday's schedule, that meant six round three matches, along with all four quarterfinals would have to be played on Friday. In the end, it was world No.1 Lindsay Davenport, No.7 seed Nadia Petrova, No.12 Silvia Farina Elia and unseeded Virginie Razzano who survived Friday's action to reach the semifinals. Absent from the final four are No.2 seed Serena Williams, No.3 Anastasia Myskina and No.5 Venus Williams. After winning her third round match against No.14 seed Mary Pierce, Serena suffered a left ankle sprain late in the second set against Farina Elia in the quarterfinals, eventually losing a second set tie-break and retiring from the match. "I was running for a ball and totally twisted my ankle," Serena said. "Things just spiraled downward from there. Of course I wanted to finish the match, but I obviously couldn't move very well and wasn't able to do it. "I think Silvia played the best I've ever seen. It's a shame that it had to be like that, but I'll be ready for the next time we play. I hope to play her again." Serena fell at 5-4, 15-40 in the second set and called for primary health care provider, Nadine Waeghe, who taped her ankle. It was clear Serena was not moving well, taking a lot of time in between points and walking during changeovers. Serena still managed to take control during the tie-break, holding three match points at 6-3, but couldn't convert and lost the second set. After consulting with the physio once more, Serena decided it was best if she did not continue the match. Farina Elia will next face the most surprising entry into this year's semifinal field, Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano, who finished off a 64 67(3) 75 victory against No.13 seed Ai Sugiyama early in the day and followed with a 64 64 win over No.6 seed Vera Zvonareva. Earlier in the day, Farina Elia needed three sets to defeat No.8 Patty Schnyder, 46 61 64. Serena, Razzano and Farina Elia were just some of the players who had to play twice on Friday, along with No.5 seed Venus Williams. Venus finished off a final set against Polish qualifier Marta Domachowska, 36 64 62, but was unable to reach the semifinals after a 16 63 64 loss to world No.1 Lindsay Davenport. Venus had the first match on Stadium Court on Friday morning to take on Domachowska. After dropping the first set against the 19-year-old, Venus came back to tie the match before rain forced them off the court and onto Friday's schedule. Unsettled by not being able to finish off her match on Thursday, Venus was anxious to get back on the court. "I was a little anxious to get out there this morning because I had some unfinished business to take care of from yesterday," Venus said. "I just couldn't relax yesterday, but I was glad to be first one today. I was able to press the issue and get the win." The second match didn't go as well for Venus, who lost to Davenport for the fourth straight time. Venus comfortably took the first set 6-1, before Davenport evened it up and forced a decisive third set. Davenport took an early break in the third and held all the way to 4-3 where it appeared Venus had a golden opportunity to get back in the match. With Davenport serving at 4-3, Venus held three break points at 0-40, but was unable to convert as Davenport went up 5-3 and eventually took the match two games later. Despite having to take the court earlier, Venus did not believe her previous match was a factor in her loss. "I was fit, and the set went pretty quick," said Venus on the third round victory. "I felt like I got all warmed up. I don't think it affected the outcome of the second match." Next up for Davenport is No.7 seed Nadia Petrova, who defeating No.11 Jelena Jankovic 63 76(5) to reach the quarters and later won a 60 06 62 match against No.15 seed Shinobu Asagoe. Asagoe made it into the quarters by taking out No.3 seed Myskina in the third round on Friday, 76(5) 76(7). --

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