Hip injury forces Konta to pull out of warm-up
Johanna Konta is hoping for a “quick turnaround” after being forced to retire from the Brisbane International due to injury.
The British No 1 had looked in fine form during yesterday morning’s quarter-final clash against Elina Svitolina, but called time on her participation with the Ukrainian leading 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 3-2.
Konta appeared to be suffering with a right hip problem and, after seeking treatment two games earlier, left the Pat Rafter Arena with what she hopes is just a “low-grade strain”.
The 26-year-old will now turn her attention to getting fit for the Australian Open, which starts on 15 January, but will have to wait for an official prognosis.
“I don’t feel too comfortable saying really too much because, actually, I don’t know yet until [Friday morning],” said Konta. “But hopefully it’s nothing more than a low-grade strain and muscle spasm more than anything.
“I’m doing everything I can now, going through the steps of making sure. I’m eliminating things and then starting a quick turnaround, hopefully.”
Konta had not reached a quarter-final of an event since August but looked to have returned to form after dominating the first set, in which she saved all four break points against her serve. Svitolina twice served her way out of trouble in the second set to force a tie-break which she eventually won.
A tight third set was interrupted as Konta called for the trainer before she pulled out of the match after two hours and 12 minutes on court.
Third seed Svitolina will meet second seed Karolina Pliskova in the semi-finals after she beat Kaia Kanepi 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.
Qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich needed three sets to see off Alize Cornet 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 and she will now face Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova, who defeated Aleksandra Krunic 6-2, 6-4.
In China, meanwhile, former world No 1 Maria Sharapova eased her way into the semi-finals of the Shenzhen Open, beating Kazakhstan’s Zarina Diyas 6-3, 6-3 to set up a last-four meeting with defending champion Katerina Siniakova, who secured her place with a 6-2 6-2 win over Kristyna Pliskova. Top seed Simona Halep and Romanian Irina-camelia Begu will contest the other semi.