Victoria Azarenka's clay-court season took a major hit today.
The fourth-seeded Azarenka withdrew from the Mutua Madrid Open due to a lower back injury. Azarenka looked hobbled in the latter stages of her 6-3, 6-2, victory over Alize Cornet in round two.
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"Unfortunately in my first match I think I tweaked my back a little bit," Azarenka told the media in Madrid. "It was really cold, and, I don't know, I think it's much easier to get a little bit hurt when it's that cold. And the second match obviously I was in a lot of discomfort. Having a day off I thought it was going to get better. Today before my tennis warmup it did feel better, but once I started hitting it came back. I don't feel that I'm able to compete today. Just trying to make smart decision for a big picture."
The two-time Madrid finalist will undergo tests on her back and plans to play Rome next week if her back issues are not serious.
"I'm just trying to make the test, make sure there is nothing serious, and try to treat it as best as possible," Azarenka said. "My plan is to be ready for Rome, so hopefully I'll be able to do that."
Azarenka's pain is Louisa Chirico's gain.
The former No. 1's withdrawal sent the American qualifier into the Madrid Open quarterfinals. Chirico, who was not even in the qualifying draw when she flew to Spain, upset former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic to reach the round of 16.
Daria Gavrilova swept reigning champion Petra Kvitova, 6-3, 6-4—her second win over Kvitova this season following a 6-4, 6-4 triumph at the Australian Open—to set up a quarterfinal against Chirico.
The departures of Azarenka and Kvitova means Madrid will feature on unseeded finalist in the top half of the draw.
Photo credit: Moez Famil Battikh/Mutua Madrid Open