Weeks ago, some of us were wondering why Davenport was seeded higher at an event than Monica Seles. This week, Lindsay also has a higher seeding that Martina Hingis, who is also lower in the rankings but was ranked higher than Lindsay before taking an injury break.

Well, this article, which is essentially a preview of the Women's Canadian Open, does a pretty good job of explaining how protected rankings work -- thought folks here might find it interesting.

The article:
http://www.wtafans.com/wtastory/story_070.html

As the article points out, the special ranking situation will probably create some chaos at the Open. Monica will likely slide from a 4 seed (steering clear of Sisters Williams until the semis) to a 5 seed (QF possibilities). Hingis (who may or may not be ready to play) will likely slide to a 9 seed and could draw a sister in the round of 16. Would that not be a major bite for Hingis? Semifinalist last year against Serena, but potentially playing her two rounds earlier this time around.

I do agree with the special ranking rule since its inception for Monica's return in 1995. It is not fair to penalize players for long rehab-oriented absences. And Lindsay has come out of the gate playing like a top 5 contender.

Yeh, it sucks for Monica... And she hasn't had a lot of hardcourt prep since being laid-up with that damn foot injury. SUCKS!

It's all a bit complicated. Seles was forced off the tour by the stabbing; that's a little different than an injury. LD and Hingis should be treated equally in my mind..and the fact that both remained in the top ten during their rehab should eliminate special seedings. I'd say that the WTA does this to keep tournaments happy knowing that the top stars won't play until the later rounds. Many players spend a couple of months rehabbing injuries without getting special seedings; just because LD was out six months shouldn't make a difference..in my mind...

I just hope that Monica's okay for next week and the Open. Not defending two finals appearances here in California just lost her several hundred rankings points which sucks. I just hope that foot's okay and that she's gotten her workouts in...

I'm curious why Pierce didn't get the same consideration. She certainly missed at least six months.