Azarenka retires after having big lead over Spaniard in Marbella

A day after Kim Clijsters bowed out of the Andalucía Tennis Experience, Victoria Azarenka did the same, albeit in different circumstances. After a perfect start the No.1 seed succumbed to injury and had to retire from her quarterfinal match against María José Martínez Sánchez.

Azarenka, who was three wins away from her first clay court title on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, was leading 4-0 in the first set when she had to call it quits against the No.5 seed. Next for Martínez Sánchez will be fellow Spaniard Carla Suárez Navarro, the No.8 seed and a 46 61 62 winner over Tatjana Malek.

Flavia Pennetta, the No.2 seed - now the only Top 4 seed remaining - won a tight 64 76(4) match-up against qualifier Simona Halep earlier on. Pennetta battled back from a break down in both sets to take it in straights and next faces good friend and fellow Italian Sara Errani, who ground out a 67(5) 64 63 win over qualifier Beatriz García Vidagany, who had taken out Clijsters.

"Simona is very young but she plays very well and very aggressively, and it was a very tough match for me," Pennetta said. "I know Sara very well and have played her before, and I know it will be tough for me tomorrow."

Check out the head-to-head records of the two all-countrywoman semifinals: Pennetta against Errani and Martínez Sánchez against Suárez Navarro.


Friday, April 9, 2010

Singles - Quarterfinals
(5) María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d. (1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 04 ret. (left thigh injury)
(2) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (Q) Simona Halep (ROU) 64 76(4)
(8) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. Tatjana Malek (GER) 46 61 62
Sara Errani (ITA) d. (Q) Beatriz García Vidagany (ESP) 67(5) 64 63