Davenport, Sharapova withdraw from Advanta 

World number one Maria Sharapova, seen here 23 September 2005, narrowly avoided crashing out of the 2.3-million-dollar ATP and WTA Kremlin Cup event after her opponent got injured. [AFP file photo]

Top-seeded Lindsay Davenport and Maria Sharapova withdrew Tuesday from the Advanta Championships.

Davenport has the flu and Sharapova has a sprained right thumb, tournament officials said.

Defending champion Amelie Mauresmo is now the top seed in the tournament. She will face Ai Sugiyama in her first match Thursday.

Davenport, ranked No. 1 in the world, and Sharapova, ranked third, are the latest stars to pull out of the Advanta Championships. Serena and Venus Williams and Patty Schnyder withdrew last weekend.

The Williams sisters are bothered by knee injuries, while Schnyder has an injured left hand.

"I know that these players would like to be here," tournament director Barbara Perry said. "But this sort of stuff happens with injuries and a long season."

Davenport and Sharapova said they expect to play in the WTA Tour Championship, which begins next week in Los Angeles.

(Agencies)