Del Potro suffers fractured kneecap

US Open runner-up Juan Martin del Potro has suffered a fractured right kneecap following his fall during a match in Shanghai this week, his spokesman said in a statement on Sunday.

Del Potro, who has been unlucky with injuries throughout his career, retired from his round-of-16 match against Borna Coric on Thursday after falling heavily.

The statement said that “the medical studies carried out on Saturday showed that Juan Martin del Potro suffered a fracture of his right patella bone in Shanghai”.

“In the coming days, the doctors will evaluate the recovery process needed to return.”

The 30-year-old Argentine, who is ranked fourth in the world and had been enjoying one of the best seasons of his career, is wearing a splint on his right leg “It’s a very difficult moment,” he said. “I feel very sad. It’s a hard blow that leaves me without strength. It’s very difficult for me to think about recovery again, I did not expect this to happen.”

SLOANE STEPHENS IN WTA FINALS

Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens has qualified for her first seasonending WTA Finals in Singapore, the WTA Tour said on Monday. Stephens joins fellow Grand Slam champions Simona Halep, Angelique Kerber, Naomi Osaka, Petra Kvitova and Caroline Wozniacki in the singles field for the Oct. 21-28 event.

Two spots remain open for the elite eight-player field, with Elina Svitolina and Karolina Pliskova in prime position to qualify for the round-robin tournament that offers $7 million in prize money. “I’m honoured to qualify for my first WTA Finals,” said Stephens.

MADRID: SINGAPORE: