NEW YORK (AP) Kim Clijsters said she saw Serena Williams' foot lacerations and ``it's not something that she's making up or that it's a small cut or anything.''
Williams, the world's top-ranked player, withdrew from the U.S. Open after surgery on her right foot. The WTA Tour has said she cut it on broken glass at a restaurant. Williams hasn't had much to say other than releasing a few statements, leading to plenty of speculation.
After she was hurt, Williams played in an exhibition match against Clijsters that drew a tennis-record crowd of 35,681 in Brussels on July 8.
Clijsters said Monday that Williams actually had cuts on both feet, but she doesn't recall whether they were on the top or bottom.
It was against Clijsters in last year's Open semifinals that Williams went on a tirade against a line judge over a foot-fault call. That led to Williams losing the match and receiving a record fine.
Williams isn't back this year, but Clijsters is, defending a Grand Slam title for the first time. She won the U.S. Open in 2005 but missed the tournament the next year because of a wrist injury.
In her first match as the reigning champion Monday, the second-seeded Belgian beat Hungary's Greta Arn 6-0, 7-5.
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RODDICK ON ROCKET: Andy Roddick grew up watching a generation of baseball stars now embroiled in accusations and confessions about steroids. The American spoke as a sports fan the day Roger Clemens was arraigned on federal charges of lying about his performance-enhancing drug use.
It's just an ugly scene right now,'' Roddick said.And, you know, if he's innocent, it (stinks) because he is guilty in the court of public opinion. If he is guilty, it's really unfortunate because you don't want to see someone kind of in denial.''
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STREAMING MATCHES: Fans will be able to watch all matches played on the five television courts live online for free during the Open. More than 200 matches will be available, including the men's and women's finals.
The five courts are Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Grandstand, Court 11 and Court 13. The live streaming will be available in the United States on USOpen.org. The feeds will also have a DVR function.
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MONFILS AT HOME: France's Gael Monfils, seeded 17th, was pushed to five sets by American qualifier Robert Kendrick. Monfils won 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-4 against Kendrick, who is ranked 148th in the world.
Fans were chanting, ``USA! USA!'' But Monfils said he didn't feel as though Kendrick had the home-court advantage.
I love USA, so for me doesn't matter,'' Monfils said.I can share with them because I love the USA. For me it was more distraction, was more to relax and enjoy a bit, maybe to think about something else. So for me, it was great.''