Azarenka Forced to Retire after Hours-Long Struggle with Knee

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Azarenka Forced to Retire after Hours-Long Struggle with Knee

The injury bug has reared its ugly head in Victoria Azarenka’s camp again. The fifth-seeded Belarussian had to pull the plug late in her first round match on Tuesday in Paris, falling 6-3,6-7(6), 4-0 Ret. To Italy’s Karin Knapp, due to an injury to her right knee.

Azarenka struggled with the unresolved right knee issue from early in the first set, and was left hobbled by the pain several times over the course of the match. Though she somehow found the strength to stay upright and rallied to take the second set in a tiebreaker, the world No. 5 ended up paying for it in the third set.

She was in tears in the decider, and the pain would not subside as she quickly fell behind by a double break.

The loss marks the third time that Azarenka has lost by retirement at a major, and the first time since 2010.

The loss also marks Azarenka’s first loss in the opening round of a major since the 2010 French Open. She had won 22 straight first-round matches at majors.

Knapp advances to face Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia in the second round.

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