Sabalenka Advances to US Open Semifinals After Vondrousova Withdrawal
Defending Champion Reaches Rematch with Pegula Without Striking a Ball
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has progressed to the US Open semifinals without hitting a shot, as 2023 Wimbledon winner Markéta Vondroušová withdrew from their quarterfinal match Tuesday night due to a knee injury. The 26-year-old Czech left-hander, ranked 60th and unseeded, explained in a statement from the United States Tennis Association, “I tried my best to take the court today, but during the warm-up, I felt my knee again… decided not to risk aggravating the injury. I apologize to the fans.” The injury reportedly surfaced before her three-set win over Elena Rybakina on Sunday.
This marks the first women’s walkover at the US Open in the quarterfinals or later since 1988, when Steffi Graf advanced after Chris Evert’s withdrawal. Vondroušová, hampered by past wrist and shoulder surgeries, has faced injury setbacks, making her return to Flushing Meadows poignant. She wrote on Instagram, “This place is so special to me… Being back here… has meant more than words can say.”
Sabalenka expressed sympathy, posting, “So sorry for Marketa… I know how badly this must hurt for her,” and admitted being “shocked” by the news, wishing her rival a speedy recovery. She now faces No. 4 Jessica Pegula in Thursday’s semifinals, a rematch of last year’s straight-sets final win. This is Sabalenka’s first major advancement via walkover.
Wednesday’s quarterfinals feature No. 2 Iga Świątek vs. No. 8 Amanda Anisimova—reprising last month’s Wimbledon final (6-0, 6-0 to Świątek)—and No. 11 Karolina Muchova vs. No. 23 Naomi Osaka, the latter reaching her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since her 2021 Australian Open triumph.
Follow us @Sportscliffs on Twitter and Instagram and also like our facebook page
