Ailing Bartoli battles into second round in Montreal tennis

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

MONTREAL (AFP) — France's Marion Bartoli overcame a stomach virus to dispatch British qualifier Melanie South 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-0 here and reach the second round of the 1.34 million-dollar WTA hardcourt tournament.

"I was not feeling good at all," Bartoli said. "My legs were shaking. My arms were shaking by themselves. I was really dizzy. I got cold.

"The doctor gave me some tablets to take. They helped a lot in the third set, but it took a while for me to feel a little better. But I needed to come up with the win, so whatever it took, I had to hang in tough."

Bartoli said players had been advised to take precautions to avoid spreading a virus that seems to be going around, including washing their hands often.

Bartoli, known mainly for her surprise...