Friday’s schedule at the Shenzhen Open served a blockbuster anticlimax, as Maria Sharapova faced a 6-1 4-2 deficit to Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals when she retired from the match citing a left thigh injury. Sharapova was playing her first singles tournament since last year’s US Open, after which she didn’t play because of a right forearm injury.
Former world No.1 Sharapova struggled to find any rhythm against an aggressive and determined world No.13 Sabalenka in the first set, as she racked up unforced errors with long forehands and net shots.