Sabalenka and Jabeur retire from Berlin Open matches

Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur became the latest top-10 players to withdraw from the Berlin Open due to injury or illness, following Wimbledon champions Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova earlier this week.

Sabalenka retired from her quarter-final against Russia's Anna Kalinskaya due to shoulder pain in the first set, trailing 5-1.

Sabalenka had never retired from a WTA Tour match due to injury before.
Kalinskaya advanced to the semi-finals via two walkovers after Wimbledon champion Vondrousova slipped and fell during their last-16 match, forcing the Czech player to retire.

In her quarter-final, Jabeur faced Coco Gauff in a 72-minute opening set, which the American won 7-6(9) before the Tunisian retired due to illness.

Jabeur was seen having her temperature checked before retiring.

"It doesn't feel like a win, especially because we had such a great first set. I wish Ons the best," Gauff said after reaching the semi-finals.

"I think it's something that's just going to happen today and she'll feel better tomorrow. I think she'll be strong at Wimbledon."

Rybakina withdrew on Friday due to illness, allowing Belarusian Victoria Azarenka to advance to the semi-finals. Rybakina was visibly struggling with what appeared to be abdominal pains.

SportsLigue