The chair umpire asked French player Harmony Tan to retire during her second-round match against Elina Svitolina due to her injury.
Svitolina looked like she was cruising after winning the first set 6-3. But Tan saved a match point at 5-4 in the second set before winning it 7-5.
ALSO READ: Nick Kyrgios’ opponent Liam Broady gets booed
In the decider however, the 24-year-old seemed to be struggling with a calf injury and took a Medical Time Out towards the end of it.
Get well soon, @tanharmony ❤️ @elinasvitolina advances after Harmony Tan retires due to injury at 6-3, 5-7, 5-1.#AusOpen · #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/2IIIVzxvrB
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2022
Get well soon. Harmony Tan.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/QxzhugtAF8
— Tennis GIFs 🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) January 19, 2022
Though Tan was in visible pain she was determine to continue. But the chair umpire encouraged her to retire so as to not aggravate her injury.
Tan retired hurt at 5-1 in the third set and left the Margaret Court Arena in a wheelchair.
Sharpen your forehand with our FREE guide
“It’s always horrible for any athlete to get injured during the competition,” said Svitolina.
“She made it not easy for me,” added the Ukrainian, who sprayed 43 unforced errors during the match, mostly from her forehand.
ALSO READ: Emma Raducanu defeats Sloane Stephens in Australian Open first round
Svitolina will meet former champion Victoria Azarenka in a blockbuster third round clash.
Azarenka maintained her unbeaten record in the round of 64 at Melbourne Park by sweeping past Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann 6-1, 6-2.
Anisimova upsets Bencic
Amanda Anisimova upset 22nd seed Belinda Bencic 6-2, 7-5, in the second round of Australian Open.
The American, who claimed her second career title at this month’s Melbourne Summer Set 2, landed 28 winners to her opponent’s 10.
ALSO READ: Coco Gauff, Sofia Kenin knocked out in first round of Australian Open
Anisimova set up a first-time encounter against 13th seed Naomi Osaka, who beat Madison Brengle 6-0, 6-4, in Friday’s round of 32 clash.
“I think it would be very exciting to play Naomi,” she said.
ALSO READ: Novak Djokovic deported from Australia
“I’ve been wanting to play her for a while…I’ll enjoy the atmosphere. She’s an amazing player, so I’ll look forward to that.”
