Shaughnessy advances in Pilot Pen

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut (AP) -- Meghann Shaughnessy of the United States battled through oppressive heat and a blown-out sneaker Sunday to beat Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 in the first-round of the Pilot Pen, the final warmup before the U.S. Open.

Shaughnessy outlasted Tanasugarn in the 3 1/2-hour match and advances to play three-time defending champ Venus Williams of the United States.

The high heat and high humidity took a toll on the players and apparently their equipment. The sole on one of Shaughnessy's shoes pulled apart and flapped open in the third set.

"It's unbelievable. This is the first tournament I haven't had a second pair of shoes either in my locker or in my bag," Shaughnessy said. "The court was really hot, or it may have been just a small defect in the shoe. I'm not sure."

Fortunately, doubles specialist Rennae Stubbs was nearby and wears the same size. Shaughnessy wore Stubbs' shoe to finish out the game. On the next changeover, she slipped on a pair of shoes from Marta Marrero, who wears the same brand.

Shaughnessy's next match will be just as difficult. Williams is coming off a two-week rest and has dominated at New Haven, going undefeated in 12 matches.

"I've done so well here. Coming off a tournament win and going into a Grand Slam is very wonderful," Williams said. "Even if I'm not exactly playing my best tennis I go in confident and mentally I feel very good as if I can do anything."

In other first-round play, Iroda Tulyaganova of Uzbekistan beat Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario of Spain 7-6 (5), 6-3 and Croatia's Iva Majoli defeated Silvia Farina Elia of Italy 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2).

 

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