Top seed bows out
Melbourne campaign in peril as Muguruza exits Brisbane
LEG cramps have left Garbine Muguruza’s Australian Open plans up in the air after the two- time Grand Slam champion was forced to retire from her Brisbane International second- round clash yesterday.
The world No. 2 led Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic – ranked 51 spots lower than the Spaniard – 7- 5 6- 7 ( 3- 7) 2- 1 in an epic encounter before falling to the ground clutching her leg at a humid Pat Rafter Arena.
The top seed admitted she was unsure of her next move after pulling out of the Brisbane tournament – her only scheduled event before the year’s opening Grand Slam in Melbourne.
“Honestly, I have no idea yet,” the 24- year- old reigning Wimbledon champion said. “I didn’t expect to, you know, to not continue here.
“But I think I’m going to evaluate what options do I have now ... maybe just go right away to Melbourne.”
Muguruza had hoped to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking she held for four weeks in 2017 by making the Brisbane final.
Instead the Spaniard was forced to withdraw from the Brisbane tournament for the third straight year due to injury.
Muguruza said she felt her calves tightening early in the second set but dug deep to grab a break and lead 2- 1 in the deciding third. However, the Spaniard’s match was over after she fell to the ground in agony clutching her leg while attempting to make a backhand return. She received medical treatment before deciding to pull the pin, ensuring Krunic became the first through to the Brisbane quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, world No. 38 and last year’s Brisbane finalist, Alize Cornet of France, joined Krunic in the quarterfinals by downing Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic- Baroni 6- 1 7- 5 yesterday.
In the men’s draw, American qualifier Michael Mmoh upset world No. 68 Federico Delbonis of Argentina 6- 3 6- 4 to book a second- round clash with eighth seed Mischa Zverev.