Watch: Marketa Vondrousova in Tears After Injury Forces Her to Withdraw from US Open Quarterfinal Against Aryna Sabalenka

Before this match, the Belarusian held a 5-4 head-to-head edge and also met her twice this year- in the Berlin Open semifinal, which Vondrousova won, and in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters, which Sabalenka won.

I am sorry to announce that I have to withdraw from my quarterfinal match this evening due to a knee injury. I tried my best to take the court today but during the warm-up I felt again my knee and after consultation with the tournament doctor decided not to risk aggravating the injury. I appreciate all the support this tournament and apologize to the fans who were looking forward to the match. I had an amazing time here in NY and can’t wait to be back next year.

Marketa Vondrousova said (via US Open)

Vondrousova reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinals since the 2024 French Open. She booked the spot after overcoming ninth seed Elena Rybakina in the fourth round.

So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through. She has been playing amazing tennis and I know how badly this must hurt for her. Take care of yourself and I hope you can recover quickly.

Aryna Sabalenka wrote on her Instagram story

Check out her post here:

Vondrousova is the 2023 Wimbledon champion (beat Ons Jabeur); apart from which, she also played the final of the 2019 French Open, losing to Ash Barty. So far in her career, the 26-year-old has played six finals and clinched two titles. Injuries have often spoiled her run. Last year, she underwent shoulder surgery and did not play a single tournament after her Wimbledon first-round exit.

Aryna Sabalenka will face Jessica Pegula next

Aryna Sabalenka will now be up against a player whom she defeated in the US Open final last year. It’s home favorite Jessica Pegula, who went past 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets in the previous round.

Pegula, who reached her second Grand Slam singles semifinal, has won just two matches in her nine clashes with the three-time Grand Slam singles champion. Sabalenka, in fact, has clinched the win in their last three encounters.

This season, both Pegula and Sabalenka have won three titles each. Pegula has reached five finals and claimed those trophies at the ATX Open, Charleston Open, and the Bad Homburg Open. Sabalenka has played seven finals, which also included the Australian Open and the French Open, but she lost both to Madison Keys and Coco Gauff, respectively.

The titles she won were at the Brisbane International, Miami Open (beat Pegula), and the Madrid Open. If Sabalenka beats her, she will progress to her fifth consecutive semifinal at Flushing Meadows.

The winner of the Sabalenka versus Pegula will face one of these players: Iga Swiatek, Amanda Anisimova, Naomi Osaka, or Karolina Muchova. Muchova will be facing four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka for the fifth time in her career.

Swiatek has scheduled a clash with Anisimova, which will also be a rematch of this year’s Wimbledon final, where the Pole clinched her first grass-court title by double-bageling her. Swiatek will inch closer to dethroning Sabalenka from the top of the rankings table if she ends the tournament in her favor for the second time in her career.