Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki swept into the semifinals of the Brussels Open on Thursday when Yanina Wickmayer retired with an injured back after losing the first two games.
Wozniacki will now play French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, who beat Ayumi Morita of Japan 6-2 6-3.
Wickmayer needed a medical time-out after the second game to receive treatment on her back. She came back, hit a few weak returns and called it quits to the disappointment of a few hundred fans. Wozniacki expressed sympathy for her opponent’s misfortune.
“To see her in so much pain right now, it is unfortunate and especially in front of this amazing crowd,” said the world number one.
Next up is Schiavone, who beat the Dane in the quarter-finals of the 2010 French Open, the last time they met on clay. Wozniacki was understandably wary of her opponent’s skill.
“She is a great player, so it won’t be easy,” said Wozniacki.
Meanwhile, third-ranked Vera Zvonareva beat Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania 6-0, 6-1 to set up the other semifinal match against Peng Shuai. Zvonareva won the opening 10 games before conceding one to Dulgheru. Peng, who is ranked 31st, defeated Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden 6-2, 6-4.
Jankovic slumps to defeat
Earlier, Serbian fourth seed Jelena Jankovic tumbled out of the Brussels Open second round on Wednesday, losing 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 to Arvidsson. The defeat came just four days before the start of the French Open where Jankovic has been a semi-finalist on three occasions.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 20th, 2011.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ