Former world number five Anna Chakvetadze was forced to retire from her quarter-final against sixth seed Shahar Peer at the Hobart International.
Chakvetadze called it quits early in the third set after suffering from what officials said was severe cramping.
The Russian had looked impressive in winning the first set 6-4, suffering the injury late in that set, but succumbed 6-4 to Israel's Peer in the second.
She lost her opening service game in the third set and signalled she could not continue after bravely playing for more than an hour and a half.
The 24-year-old had struggled through the match, barely able to run and stretching between points.
She received a time violation warning after stalling in an attempt to be able to complete her serve.
The 2007 champion called on the trainer three times and left the court after the second set for treatment.
Currently ranked number 234 in the world, Chakvetadze was playing her first tournament since Wimbledon in June last year after illness and injury setbacks.
Her comeback had appeared on track as she heads into next week's Australian Open, the last major she made the quarter-finals at back in 2007.
Peer will play top seed Yanina Wickmayer in Friday night's semi-final.
Fourth seed Angelique Kerber meets German compatriot Mona Barthel in the daytime semi-final.
AAP
Tags: tennis, sport, hobart-7000 First posted January 12, 2012 22:44:18
No comments:
Post a Comment