War of words over Serena's ankle injury

CARSON, California, Aug 11 (Reuters) Serena Williams became involved in a verbal spat with Daniela Hantuchova after taking a medical time-out before the start of the second set in their third-round match at the Los Angeles Open.

Williams, who went on to win 1-6 6-3 6-3, had slipped chasing a crosscourt forehand by the Slovakian seventh seed late in the first set and had to have her left ankle taped.

Asked if she felt Williams's injury required the time-out, Hantuchova said: ''No, I don't think so, but of course that's her call.'' Twice champion Williams, playing only her third event of the year because of a chronic knee injury, refuted her opponent's claim.

''To be honest that's kind of childish,'' the former world number one said after booking a place against fellow American Meghann Shaughnessy in Friday's quarter-finals.

''I obviously fell and I was kind of injured. I'm notorious for rolling my ankle and I rolled it again. It throbbed and stung but I just kept moving.

''It's a shame for somebody to take the low way out. She's obviously upset over the loss.

''If she has more words to say I would prefer for her to say them to me. I'd be more than happy to settle it out of court,'' Williams added, before breaking into laughter.

Asked if she and Hantuchova would talk further about the incident, she replied: ''What happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room.'' Williams said it was too early to tell if her ankle injury would affect her quarter-final match.

''Usually I have to wait until tomorrow to see how it feels but it is a little sore tonight,'' she said.

REUTERS PM RK1320