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| Mary Pierce hits a backhand while playing Patty Schnyder in the quarterfinals of the Acura Classic© Stephen Dunn/Getty Images |
CARSON, Calif. (AP) -- Mary Pierce withdrew from the JPMorgan Chase Open on Wednesday because of a right thigh strain she sustained in practice.
Pierce was hitting serves Tuesday when she felt pain in her leg.
"I've tried to do some movement, but it hurts. I'm really disappointed because I'm playing very well right now,'' she said in a statement. "I am going to go home and have treatment. I'll take a few days and hopefully play Toronto. If not, I'll get ready for the US Open.''
Pierce, ranked 11th in the world, won last week's WTA Tour stop in Carlsbad, Calif., defeating Ai Sugiyama 6-0, 6-3 for her first tournament title in more than a year.
She will be replaced in the draw by Saori Obata of Japan.
The tournament already lost Lindsay Davenport, Serena Williams, Sugiyama and Vera Zvonareva because of injuries.