Injured Sharapova retires from Shenzhen quarters
Maria Sharapova abandoned her quarter-final tie in the Shenzhen Open on Friday due to injury.
SHENZHEN (AFP) - Former world number one Maria Sharapova abandoned her quarter-final tie in the Shenzhen Open on Friday after struggling with a thigh injury.
Just 10 days before the start of the Australian Open, Sharapova received treatment for a painful left thigh after losing the first set 6-1 to top seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.
Sharapova, ranked world number 29, was trailing 4-2 in the second set when she decided to throw in the towel after coach Thomas Hogstedt urged her to consider quitting during an on-court coaching break.
"I think we both played well -- and then she got injured," said Sabalenka. "Hopefully she will get well soon."
Sabalenka, the world number 13, goes on to meet China s Wang Yafan while American Alison Riske faces Russia s Vera Zvonareva in the other semi-final.
