Rybakina retires from quarterfinal against Azarenka in Berlin before rain interrupts play

BERLIN (AP) — Elena Rybakina apparently withdrew from her quarterfinal match in Berlin on Friday due to illness.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion was 1-3 down against Victoria Azarenka in the first set at the Ladies Open on grass and abandoned the match after a double fault in the fifth game brought her level at 15-15.

Rybakina sat down on her bench, put her hands over her face, but did not wait for a medical examination. After 40 seconds, she stood up and quickly jogged to the dressing room.

On Thursday, Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova had to abandon her match in Berlin due to a leg injury.

The first round matches at Wimbledon begin on July 1st.

Former No. 1 Azarenka and two-time Australian Open champion will face second seed Aryna Sabalenka or Anna Kalinskaya in the semifinals.

Fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula led Katerina Siniakova 7-6 (2), 3-6, 4-2 when rain halted play. They will finish their match on Saturday.

The other two quarterfinals have been postponed to Saturday: Sabalenka against Kalinskaya and top seed Coco Gauff against Ons Jabeur.

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AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis