Bizarre scenes at US Open as Karolina Pliskova retires just 3 points into 2R match against Jasmine Paolini due to injury
Karolina Pliskova and Jasmine Paolini's second-round clash at the 2024 US Open ended prematurely after the former retired just three points into the contest on August 29. The match lasted a mere six minutes at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Both players were just warming up for what promised to be an exciting match, with Paolini serving first. The fifth-seeded Italian lost the opening point but won the following points to take a 30-15 lead. Pliskova then appeared to limp off the court toward her chair, having seemingly rolled her ankle.
Replays showed that the Czech star stepped awkwardly on her left foot and slightly rolled her ankle after Paolini had wrong-footed her during the third point. Pliskova immediately removed her shoe and requested medical attention. Following a brief examination courtside, Pliskova and the doctor departed the court for further treatment.
After a few minutes, the former World No. 1 returned to the court and informed the chair umpire that she would not be able to continue the match due to injury. During the post-match on-court interview, Paolini wished Pliskova a speedy recovery following the unfortunate incident.
“I hope she recovers soon because it’s sad to see her leave the court like this. We didn’t really play a match. It’s not good for tennis. I just hope she gets well and we see her back on the courts soon,” Paolini said.
Pliskova came to the US Open after second-round exits at the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open. The 2016 US Open finalist defeated Mayar Sherif in her first-round match at Flushing Meadows, ousting the Egyptian in a three-set affair.
With Pliskova calling it quits in the middle of her match, the 2024 US Open is now tied with the 2011 US Open for the most retirements (4) in a single edition of the tournament in the Open Era. Brenda Fruhvirtova, Maria Sakkari, and Lulu Sun are the other players who have retired during this year's edition.
Jasmine Paolini to face Yulia Putintseva in US Open 3R after bettering Karolina Pliskova
Jasmine Paolini, the Italian No. 1, will be well-rested for her third-round match at the 2024 US Open after a relatively short outing against Karolina Pliskova in the second round. She will face Yulia Putintseva, the 30th seed, on September 1. Putintseva, who defeated Linda Noskova and Wang Xinyu to reach the third round, will be a tough opponent for Paolini.
Paolini and Putintseva have faced off once before on the WTA Tour. Their previous encounter took place at the 2021 Slovenia Open, where Paolini secured a three-set win over the Kazakh.
The Italian has been one of the most in-form players on the 2024 WTA Tour. She won her maiden WTA-1000 title in Dubai earlier this year and then reached back-to-back Grand Slam finals at the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships.