Italy’s Schiavone the Latest Casualty of Indian Wells Virus
March 13, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
Italy’s Francesca Schiavone, 2012 French Open winner, has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif. due to a virus that has plagued the event. Schiavone was forced to withdraw from her match with Czech Lucie Safarova, trailing 2-6. To date, eight players at the event have been forced out due to the virus, which health authorities have described as a 48-hour bug transmitted by air and direct contact and not via food. Among the casualties of the virus were ninth-seeded Russian Vera Zvonareva, who pulled out before her third-round match on Sunday, and 14th-seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils, who exited on Sunday.
Safarova advances to face Marion Bartoli of France, a 6-2, 6-0 winner over South African Chanelle Scheepers.
