Sore Muscle Knocks Capriati Out of Manhattan Beach Tournament

Jennifer Capriati, having aggravated an injury in practice, withdrew from the Acura Classic before her first-round match against Miho Saeki of Japan on Tuesday.

Capriati strained a gluteal muscle near her left hip last week during the du Maurier Open in Montreal. She practiced lightly Monday, but still felt sore, according to WTA trainer Joani Essenmacher. And, after a more aggressive practice Tuesday morning, Capriati decided not to play.

“I was hoping that it would be well enough for me to play this week,” Capriati said in a statement. “I have been practicing really lightly the last few days and then yesterday I went harder in the practice and aggravated it.

“I had to try a full practice, but it just wasn’t healed enough for me to play. I couldn’t run all-out or stretch for balls, and it is impossible to play a tournament under those circumstances.

“I’m going to head back to Florida and just give the injury the rest and treatment it needs. I’m hoping to be completely healed for the U.S. Open [Aug. 26].”

Nana Miyagi of Japan took Capriati’s place and beat Saeki, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.