Davenport checks in

Lindsay Davenport met the media Friday afternoon and did so while holding 2-month-old son Jagger at the podium. The youngster didn't seem to like the bright TV lights very much, BUT other than that he handled himself very well.

Davenport will be playing doubles with Lisa Raymond in her first competition since last fall. She is pointing to a return to singles action in about 4 weeks.

Mike Pucci and Jim Fuller have more in Saturday's Register

Blake seeded third

Fairfield grad James Blake is seeded third on the men's side of the draw. He gets a 1st-round bye and then awaits the winner of Arnaud Clement and a yet-to-be determined qualifier in Round 2.

The men's seeds are as follows:

1. N. Davydenko
2. T. Robredo
3. Blake
4. D. Ferrer
5. P-H Mathieu
6. J. Nieminen
7. F. Volandri
8. P. Starace
9. D. Hrabty
10. N. Almagro
11. I Karlovic
12. F. Verdasco
13. G. Simon
14. I Andreev
15. G. Monfils
16. A. Calleri

Serena Withdraws

A nagging thumb injury forced Serena Williams to withdraw from the Pilot Pen tourney on Friday. Tournament Director Anne Worcester made the announcement just before the draw for the women's field.

"We'll keep trying to bring Serena to New Haven," Worcester said. "We still have a very strong field and fans will see exciting tennis right from the first round."

It's a tough break for the tournament as billboards with Serena's image can be seen in many places and it was just about a week ago when she committed to play.

As Worcester said prior to making the announcement: "weather and player injuries" are two things she can't control.

-- Shawn Rychling