SIX-time grand slam winner Venus Williams pulled out of the WTA's Family Circle Cup on Wednesday, saying she will miss four weeks with an illness.

AUSTRALIAN Davis Cup stalwart Lleyton Hewitt is not a fan of world rankings points being awarded for individual performances in tennis's most prestigious team event.

LINDSAY Davenport continued her string of success by rolling over unseeded American compatriot Jill Craybas 6-1 6-4 at Florida's WTA event.

AUSTRALIAN No. 2 Chris Guccione has been drawn to play Thai No. 1 Danai Udomchoke in tomorrow's opening singles rubber of the Davis Cup's Asia-Oceania group playoff in Townsville.

MARIA Sharapova survived a scare as she outlasted Anabel Medina Garrigues 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 7-6 (7-1) to reach the quarter-finals of the Bausch & Lomb event at Amelia Island, Florida.

CHRIS Guccione and Lleyton Hewitt have given Australia a commanding 2-0 advantage with starkly contrasting singles victories on day one of the Davis Cup play-off with Thailand.

WORLD No.1 Justine Henin has pulled out of next week's Family Circle Cup in Charleston, California because of a knee problem.

FORMER world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt will aim to help favourites Australia secure an early stranglehold on their Asia-Oceania group playoff against Thailand in Townsville.

The Santa Clara men's tennis team will host Sonoma State and Texas-Pan American in their final matches of the dual season before WCC Championships. Santa Clara will meet Sonoma State first, on Friday, April 11, at 3:00 p.m., followed by

TIM Henman will appear at this year's Wimbledon as a commentator, the BBC said yesterday.