Iga Swiatek retires ill in Madrid Open title defence against Ann Li
Iga Swiatek retired from her Madrid Open third-round match against Ann Li after falling ill in the decider. The stomach virus ended the defending champion's run and sent Li into the last 16.
Iga Swiatek retired from her Madrid Open third-round match against Ann Li on Saturday after falling ill during the decider, ending her title defence in the Spanish capital.
The fourth-ranked Pole, champion here in 2024, withdrew with Li leading 7-6 (4), 2-6, 3-0. Swiatek later revealed she had been battling a stomach virus for the last two days and had hoped she could still find a way through despite feeling "terrible".
The retirement marked Swiatek's earliest exit in five appearances in Madrid and opened up the draw further, with Li moving into the last 16 for a meeting with Leylah Fernandez.
WHY DID SIWATEK RETIRE FROM MADRID OPEN?
Swiatek had opened her campaign with a straight-sets win over Daria Snigur on Thursday, but ran into trouble against the 34th-ranked Li in the round of 32. Li took the first set 7-6 (4) before Swiatek recovered to level the match by winning the second 6-2.
The contest shifted again early in the third set. Swiatek was broken and, with Li 2-0 up, called for a medical timeout and had her vitals checked. She returned to court and tried to break back, but Li held serve for a 3-0 lead, after which Swiatek decided she could not continue.
Swiatek first left the court for treatment during the deciding set, with the illness affecting her as the match wore on. The problem was later described as a viral illness, with Swiatek saying she had been dealing with a stomach issue for two days before the match.
For Li, the result stands as the second top-10 win of her career and sends her into the fourth round in Madrid. For Swiatek, it is an abrupt end to a tournament she won last year, with her title defence cut short by illness after she had fought back from a set down to stay in the match.
Iga Swiatek retired from her Madrid Open third-round match against Ann Li on Saturday after falling ill during the decider, ending her title defence in the Spanish capital.
The fourth-ranked Pole, champion here in 2024, withdrew with Li leading 7-6 (4), 2-6, 3-0. Swiatek later revealed she had been battling a stomach virus for the last two days and had hoped she could still find a way through despite feeling "terrible".
The retirement marked Swiatek's earliest exit in five appearances in Madrid and opened up the draw further, with Li moving into the last 16 for a meeting with Leylah Fernandez.
WHY DID SIWATEK RETIRE FROM MADRID OPEN?
Swiatek had opened her campaign with a straight-sets win over Daria Snigur on Thursday, but ran into trouble against the 34th-ranked Li in the round of 32. Li took the first set 7-6 (4) before Swiatek recovered to level the match by winning the second 6-2.
The contest shifted again early in the third set. Swiatek was broken and, with Li 2-0 up, called for a medical timeout and had her vitals checked. She returned to court and tried to break back, but Li held serve for a 3-0 lead, after which Swiatek decided she could not continue.
Swiatek first left the court for treatment during the deciding set, with the illness affecting her as the match wore on. The problem was later described as a viral illness, with Swiatek saying she had been dealing with a stomach issue for two days before the match.
For Li, the result stands as the second top-10 win of her career and sends her into the fourth round in Madrid. For Swiatek, it is an abrupt end to a tournament she won last year, with her title defence cut short by illness after she had fought back from a set down to stay in the match.
