Muguruza pulls out again due to injury, doubtful for Aus Open
HOURS AFTER BATTLING PAST KIKI BERTENS TO ADVANCE TO THE QF, MUGURUZA WITHDREW WITH A RIGHT THIGH COMPLAINT.
SYDNEY: Garbine Muguruza’s preparations for Australian Open were thrown into disarray when the world No 3 pulled out of the Sydney International due to a leg injury on Wednesday.
Hours after battling past Kiki Bertens 6-3, 7-6(6) to advance to the quarter-finals in her opening match, the 24-year-old Spanish withdrew with a right thigh complaint. “I am disappointed but I have talked to the WTA doctors after the match and following their recommendation, I have to withdraw from the tournament,” Muguruza said.
YUKI AND RAMKUMAR PROGRESS
MELBOURNE: Yuki Bhambri and Ramkumar Ramanathan came from behind to win their respective matches at the Australian Open qualifiers but it was end of the road for Sumit Nagal and Prajnesh Gunneswaran.
Bhambri beat Bradely Schuner 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 while Ramkumar edged out American Bradley Klahn 6-7(8), 7-6(3), 6-2 in his match.
KERBER LOOKS TO EXTEND STREAK
SYDNEY: Angelique Kerber says she is looking for more matches ahead of Australian Open after knocking Venus Williams 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 out of the Sydney International. “I’m just looking forward to have a lot of matches before going to Melbourne, and now I have another. Let’s see how many I will get. But this is actually just a goal to playing matches and then going with a lot of confidence to Melbourne.”
DEL POTRO TOO STRONG FOR SHAPOVALOV
AUCKLAND: Juan Martin del Potro made a confident start to his preparations for the Australian Open with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Denis Shapovalov at the Auckland Classic. Former US Open champion Del Potro hit eight aces to breeze past the Canadian, who committed 40 unforced errors. Del Potro will next face Russian Karen Khachanov, who beat sixth seed Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas 6-2 7-6(4), in the last eight.