BEIJING, 25 September 2005 — Maria Sharapova feared serious injury after a mystery chest problem forced her to quit her China Open semifinal with fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko yesterday.
The world No. 1 was trailing 6-4, 2-1 when she stopped with a pectoral injury under orders from her father Yuri, handing close friend Kirilenko a place in her second WTA Tour final. Kirilenko will meet ninth seed Anna-Lena Groenefeld in today’s final after the German beat Poland’s Marta Domachowska 7-5, 6-3.
“Even if I couldn’t walk I’d want to finish the match,” a dejected Sharapova told reporters. “It’s something that I can’t control. It’s a very mysterious injury.
“It was getting worse and worse with every shot.” Sharapova’s injury is the same right pectoral muscle strain that forced her out of last month’s Los Angeles Open.
“In reality, yes it hurts and it’s very painful. I had an MRI in L.A. and they said it was just a muscle problem or inflammation,” said the Siberian-born teenager.
“It’s kind of up and down and it comes unexpectedly. I took a week and half off to get ready for the US Open and after all that it was still not better so that’s a concern.” Sharapova’s exit completed a miserable week for the tournament after the early departure of three of its top four seeds.
Lindsay Davenport withdrew after winning in Bali last weekend, title holder Serena Williams suffered a shock defeat in her opening match and Wimbledon champion Venus Williams pulled out with a knee injury before her quarter-final.
Tomorrow I won’t be afraid.” Sharapova had won titles in Tokyo, Doha and Birmingham this year and was favorite for an 11th career title after the exits of Venus and Serena Williams.
But Kirilenko took the first set after 44 minutes with a pummelling forehand and the world number 45 broke Sharapova again at the start of the second.
Sharapova’s decision to retire was greeted by a cacophony of boos from Chinese fans already angered by the quick departures of the Williams sisters. Groenefeld dominated against Domachowska to reach the second final of her career. The 20-year-old reached her first singles final in Pattaya in February but lost to Spain’s Conchita Martinez.
Croatian Sprem to Play Myskina in Final
In Calcutta, India, Croatia’s Karolina Sprem toppled an injured Elena Likhovtseva of Russia, the second seed, to enter the final of the $170,000 WTA Kolkata Open yesterday.
The 20-year-old Sprem, the No. 7 seed ranked world No. 81, rallied for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory after Likhovtseva needed treatment for lower back trouble during the second set.
She now meets top seed Anastasia Myskina, who displayed her best form to outplay unseeded Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-3, 6-1 in the other semifinal. The 2004 French Open champion, the world number 12, is aiming to secure her first title of the year.
Likhovtseva won a scrappy first set which featured five breaks of serve. The 30-year-old dropped serve in game five of the second set before taking an injury break.
With Likhovtseva clearly struggling after treatment, Sprem wrapped up the final set, dashing hopes of an all-Russian final.
Home Favorite Srebotnik to Face Czech Koukalova in Slovenia Open Final
In Portoroz, Slovenia, sixth-seeded local favorite Katarina Srebotnik reached the final of the WTA Slovenia Open yesterday, ousting Eleni Daniilidou of Greece 6-2, 6-2.
The 24-year-old will play fourth-seeded Klara Koukalova of the Czech Republic, who beat Vanessa Henke of Germany, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
The No. 49th-ranked Srebotnik is seeking her third tour title this year after victories in Auckland and Stockholm.
Koukalova, ranked 41st, had more trouble ousting the No. 172nd-ranked Henke, who ousted top-seeded Silvia Farina Elia in the first round.
Koukalova, 23, won in Hertogenbosch for her only title this year.
