Monday, May 15 2006 14:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Rome: The Rome Masters WTA event lost two of its top three seeds on Sunday as holder Amelie Mauresmo and Maria Sharapova both withdrew, officials said.

Australian Open winner Mauremso, a five-time finalist who lifted the 2004 and 2005 trophies here, had been hoping to bounce back after losing badly to Justine Henin-Hardenne in the Berlin semi-finals at the weekend.

The French player claimed she was suffering a fever.

Sharapova, who judged a contest for male ballboys to be used at the season-ending Tour championships last Thursday in Madrid, was unable to recover from a foot injury which has bothered her for a few weeks.

That and an ingrown toenail ruined her chances of playing.

"It's frustrating to withdraw from Rome, one of my favourite tournaments," said Sharapova.

"I've been here since Thursday doing everything possible to be ready to play. My foot is just not healed enough to let me compete at the highest level," she said.

The late exits leave Belgian Kim Clijsters as the top seed in the tournament which starts on Monday.

German Open winner Nadia Petrova of Russia is the next highest seed (fourth) still in the field.

Venus Williams and Martina Hingis were heading Monday's opening day, with Williams facing Czech Zuzana Ondraskova and Hingis playing Italian Sara Errani.