BIRMINGHAM, England — Former world No. 1s Victoria Azarenka and Ana Ivanovic departed from the Aegon Classic singles draw on Wednesday, with only Ivanovic confident of being ready for Wimbledon in 11 days.
Azarenka suffered another blow to her chances of reviving her faltering career when she was forced to withdraw with a left foot injury, while Ivanovic's title defense was ruined in the second round by Portuguese qualifier Michelle Larcher de Brito 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (6).
Azarenka's foot injury is similar to the ailment which contributed to her fall from the world's top 20 more than 10 months ago, something which has prevented her from adding to her 17 titles in almost two years.