Tough day at the office for three Australian Open players
January 26, 2009
Monday at the Australian Open has not been kind to Gael Monfils, Zheng Jie and Victoria Azarenka. The first two were forced to withdraw from the Open due to wrist injuries while Azarenka after feeling dizzy pulled out of her match against Serena Williams.
Men’s no. 12 seed Gael Monfils, who was down 6-4, 2-6, 1-6 to no. 6 seed Gilles Simon decided to withdraw due to a right wrist problem. This gifted Simon a spot in the quarterfinals at a major for the first time.
China’s Zheng Jie who was the no. 22 seed fell backwards during a point in the third game. As she was going to ground she put out her hand and damaged her left wrist. She received treatment but decided two games later to withdraw.
Victoria Azarenka from Belarus. Azarenka was playing the highest remaining seed, no. 2 Serena Williams. The 19-year-old who a few weeks ago won the Brisbane title was giving Williams a run for her money. She took the first set 6-3 but was trailing 2-4 in the second when she succumbed to dizzyness. It was not that hot so perhaps she went into the match with an illness.
The final match to complete the women’s quarterfinal saw a win for Carla Suarez Navarro over fellow Spaniard Anabel Medina Garriques. The girl who made a name for herself by eliminating Venus Williams won 6-3, 6-2.
Now that all eight women are known for the quarter finals it is interesting to see that there are four Russian players left in the draw. Australia, France, Spain and the USA each have one representative. If results go their way we could witness an all Russian semi final lineup.
Safina Ends Dokic Run At Australian Open
Comments
Got something to say?
