Marketa Vondrousova has pulled out of her US Open quarter-final against Aryna Sabalenka due to a knee injury, giving the World No 1 a walkover into the next round.
Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion who missed last year’s US Open after undergoing shoulder surgery, had beaten two top-10 players in Jasmine Paolini and the in-form Elena Rybakina to reach the quarter-finals.
Defending champion Sabalenka goes through to play fourth seed Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals, in a rematch of last year’s US Open final.
"I am sorry to announce that I have to withdraw from my quarter-final match this evening due to a knee injury,” Vondrousova said in a statement.
“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 New York and can’t wait to be back next year."
Vondrousova was seen in tears as she made the decision to withdraw from the match. The 26-year-old Czech has struggled with injuries during her career, particularly after her Wimbledon title in 2023.
Sabalenka remains on course to defend her US Open title and posted on Instagram: “So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through. She has been playing amazing tennis and I know how badly this must hurt for her.”
Sabalenka added: “Take care of yourself and I hope you can recover quickly”.
Pegula earlier defeated Barbora Krejcikova to return to the semi-finals. “I think it would be cool to be able to get revenge,” Pegula said of the prospect of facing Sabalenka, before the news of Vondrousova’s withdrawal.
Vondrousova’s match against Sabalenka had been scheduled in the first match of the night session on Arthur Ashe Arena, leaving Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz’s quarter-final as the only match of the session.
