Marketa Vondrousova has withdrawn from her US Open quarter-final against Aryna Sabalenka, sending the world No.1 into the last four without having to hit a ball.
Vondrousova was in tears at a practice court on Wednesday morning (AEST) after abruptly ending her session after less than five minutes of hitting.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Marketa Vondrousova withdraws from US Open after innocuous injury.
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The world No.60 and 2023 Wimbledon champion was just hours out from facing Sabalenka when she appeared to be in discomfort after an innocuous forehand.
Minutes later, she was pictured alongside her team walking off the court with a bandage around her left leg.
In a statement, Vondrousova said it was a knee complaint.
“I am sorry to announce that I have to withdraw from my quarterfinal match this evening due to a knee injury,” she said.
“I tried my best to take the court today but during the warm-up I felt again my knee and, after consultation with the tournament doctor, decided not to risk aggravating the injury.
“I appreciate all the support this tournament and apologise to the fans who were looking forward to the match. I had an amazing time here in NY and can’t wait to be back next year.”
It’s the latest frustrating setback for Vondrousova, who has suffered a string of injuries in recent years. She had a wrist operation in 2019 and required shoulder surgery last year, after which Vondrousova said she was unable to swing a racquet.
Shortly after learning the news of her opponent’s withdrawal, Sabalenka posted a classy message of support on social media.
“So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through,” she said.
“She has been playing amazing tennis and I know how badly this must hurt for her.
“Take care of yourself and I hope you can recover quickly.”
The injury is being felt around the tennis world, with fans just as devastated as Vondrousova.
“This is so sad… life just hasn’t been fair to this woman,” The Tennis Letter wrote.
“So many injuries have held her back. Wishing her a quick recovery.”
The walkover means Sabalenka is through to the semi-finals, where she will meet world No.4 Jessica Pegula on Thursday in a rematch of last year’s final.
Sabalenka won that match in straight sets.
Earlier on Tuesday (local time), American Pegula showed again the benefits of home, defeating Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-3 to reach a grand slam semi for the second time in her career, both in New York.
Pegula failed to advance to the semis in her first 23 main-draw appearances at a major before reaching last year’s decider.
She has since been eliminated in the fourth round at the Australian Open, third round at the French Open and first round at Wimbledon.
Being back on hard courts at the US Open has been a recipe for success. She has not yet lost a set.
“I think I’ve been playing some really good tennis,” Pegula said.
“I’ve just been playing very solid. I’ve been having very good quick starts, so I really wanted to do that today, especially against someone like (Krejcikova) who’s very dangerous.
“It’s crazy to look now and think that I’m really comfortable coming out here playing on big courts in big matches on the best court in the world with the craziest crowd against the best players.
“It’s pretty crazy, and it’s something 10 years ago I never thought I’d be good at this, but I guess I am.”
Pegula was not perfect, but she played well enough to stay in control throughout and broke for a fifth time to end the match in under 90 minutes — on her first match point attempt.
She had been 0-6 in major quarter-finals until upsetting Iga Swiatek in that round at Flushing Meadows a year ago.
Now the 31-year-old is the first woman to make the final four at the US Open in consecutive years without losing a set since 23-time major champion Serena Williams did it every year from 2011 to 2014.
“I’ve been able to kind of go into those matches and really take care of business,” Pegula said.
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