Konta retires injured, Svitolina and Sasnovich reach Brisbane semis

Sport360 staff 15:14 04/01/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • British number one Johanna Konta became the latest casualty ahead of the Australian Open when she retired during her Brisbane International quarter-final against Elina Svitolina on Thursday.

    Konta called for treatment to her right hip at the beginning of the third set but decided she could not continue and handed Svitolina the match 1-6, 7-6 (6), 3-2.

    The retirement disappointed the crowd at Pat Rafter Arena, who had witnessed a fascinating match where Konta stormed through the first set before Svitolina regrouped and edged a high-quality second in a tiebreaker.

    Konta joins top seed Garbine Muguruza (cramping) and fourth-ranked Caroline Garcia (lower back) as high-profile casualties at the season-opening tournament.

    She is due to defend her Sydney International title next week ahead of the Australian Open but said she was unsure whether or not she would risk further damage before the year’s first Grand Slam.

    “I need to wait until tomorrow morning (before deciding),” she said. “I don’t feel comfortable going on gut feeling, especially to do with stuff like this.

    “The most important thing is to listen to my body, listen to how I’m feeling in the morning, and really taking it kind of step by step.”

    Konta said she felt something give in her first service game of the third set.

    “I’m not too sure actually what happened. I have never had issues kind of in this area,” she said. “More on the left side and not for a few years. And it was different.”

    Konta’s withdrawal follows that of fellow Briton Andy Murray, who pulled out of the men’s draw before his opening match, also with a hip injury, and who confirmed Thursday that he would not be fit to play at the Australian Open.

    World number one Rafael Nadal withdrew from Brisbane with knee problems at the weekend and is a doubt for Melbourne.

    “Hips take a massive beating. Obviously, our game is becoming more and more physical and the demands of the tour as well, week in and week out, is becoming more demanding just because of the level of play match in and match out,” Konta said.

    “So I think hips definitely take a beating, but so do knees, so do shoulders, so do ankles, wrists. Take your pick. Back, lower back. And everything in between.”

    On her part, the third-seeded Svitolina was pleased with how she fought back in the second set and wished her opponent a speedy recovery.

    “First set she was playing very good. You know, there’s not so many things that I could really change,” said Svitolina, who next faces either defending champion Karolina Pliskova or 2012 champion Kaia Kanepi.

    “And I was expecting this because I know that, you know, she can play a really high level. You need to really be focused on every point and wait for your chances, you know, how I did in the second set. I was just trying to be rock solid and wait for the small chances that she can give you.

    “And, yeah, in the second set I was just trying to serve well and be ready for this kind of moments. And I think, yeah, I did well in the tie-break. I was there 100 per cent. And, yeah, just was very happy. But, yeah, you know, it’s always tough to see when your opponent is injured. And, yeah, hopefully she can recover well and be ready to play 100 per cent for Australian Open.”

    Earlier in the day, Belarusian qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich came back to defeat Frenchwoman Alize Cornet 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 and reach the semi-finals. The world No. 88 almost retired from her previous match with a leg injury but powered through to keep up her brilliant run this week. She plays Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova for a place in the final.

    “In the beginning, I couldn’t even imagine that I pass the qualie and be in semis. So it’s incredible week for me. But I’m looking forward for tomorrow match, because the tournament is not finished for me,” said the 23-year-old.

    “Physically I’m not in the best shape, in the best condition, but mentally I’m ready to play and I really want to win.

    “I think everyone can beat everyone. It’s tennis. You know, the ball is round. And all day, it’s a new day. Like, each day is a new day and anything can happen.”

    Recommended