Former world number one and 2016 US Open runner-up Karolina Pliskova suffered a heartbreaking setback on Thursday, forced to retire from her second-round match due to an ankle injury. The Czech star turned her left ankle after just three points, unable to continue her match against fifth-seeded Jasmine Paolini.
The match, held on the iconic Louis Armstrong Stadium, officially lasted a mere six minutes. Paolini, who was declared the winner with the score at 0-0, expressed sympathy for Pliskova. “I hope she recovers soon because it’s sad to see her leave the court like this. We didn’t really play a match,” said the French Open and Wimbledon runner-up. “It’s not good for tennis. I just hope she gets well and we see her back on the courts soon.”
Pliskova’s unfortunate exit marks a disappointing end to her US Open campaign. With her injury, Paolini advances to the round of 16 where she will face Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan. Tennis fans around the world will undoubtedly be hoping for a speedy recovery for Pliskova, wishing to see the former world number one back on the court soon.
