German No.1 Angelique Kerber is the latest player to be entering the upcoming Australian Open with an injury cloud looming over their head after she was forced to retire from the Adelaide International on Wednesday.
The three-time grand slam champion sought treatment throughout her clash with Ukrainian player Dayana Yastremska. After dropping the first set and going down a break in the second, Kerber retired from the match whilst trailing 3-6, 0-2. It initially appeared that she was suffering from a lower back injury, however it was later officially confirmed that her withdrawal was due to a left hamstring injury.
.@D_Yastremska progresses to the @AdelaideTennis quarterfinals as Kerber retires at 6-3, 2-0. pic.twitter.com/pAusyMvdxw
— wta (@WTA) January 15, 2020
There is yet to be any comment from Kerber or her team regarding the injury and the severity of it. Heading into the Australian Open next week, the world No.18 has only won one match so far this year. That was against China’s Wang Qiang in the first round on Monday. Last week she was knocked out of the first round of the Brisbane International by Sam Stosur.
Meanwhile, Yastremska will take on Croatia’s Donna Vekic in the quarter-finals of the tournament. Vekic battled back from a set down to edge out Maria Sakkari 2-6, 7-5, 6-1. The 19-year-old, who is the only teenager in the draw this week, is seeking to reach her first WTA final on Australian soil this week.
“I want to wish Angie and good recovery and to be ready for the Australian Open. It’s very important that she can get back into a good form.” She said during her on-court interview.
“From the beginning I didn’t feel that great on the court. It was a little bit windy and I was a bit confused (on the court), but then I managed to get back.’
“I just try to play each ball in the court.”
Another player through to the last eight is America’s Danielle Collins. The 2019 Australian Open semi-finalist crushed seventh seed Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-1, in just over an hour. Winning eight consecutive games at one stage and dropping just four points behind her first serve. It is Collins’ third consecutive win over Kenin on the tour.
“Today was a bit of a struggle for me. I’ve been having a hard time keeping food down. I’ve been pretty sick and dealing with some stuff, but I think I faced the adversity well.” She said.
“I just tried to come out here and be the best competition I can be.”
Collins will play either fourth seed Belinda Bencic or Julia Goerges next.
