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**Sabalenka Advances to US Open Semifinals After Vondrousova Withdraws Due to Knee Injury**

**NEW YORK –** Defending US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the semifinals without playing a single point in her quarterfinal match. Her opponent, reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury sustained prior to her fourth-round victory against Elena Ryakina.

Vondrousova, 26, released a statement expressing her disappointment. “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,” she said. “I appreciate all the support this tournament and apologize to the fans who were looking forward to the match.”

According to the USTA, Vondrousova’s walkover marks the first time a woman has withdrawn from a US Open quarterfinal or later since 1988, when Steffi Graf advanced to the final after Chris Evert pulled out of their semifinal.

Sabalenka expressed sympathy for Vondrousova on social media, writing, “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.” Speaking to ESPN’s Kris Budden, Sabalenka said she was shocked by the news after watching Vondrousova warm up and wished her a speedy recovery in the locker room.

The unexpected turn of events led the USTA to fill the vacant Arthur Ashe Stadium slot with the men’s quarterfinal match between Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz, which started at 8 p.m. ET.

Sabalenka will now face No. 4 Jessica Pegula in a rematch of last year’s US Open championship match, which Sabalenka won in straight sets. This marks the first time in Sabalenka’s career that she has advanced in a major tournament due to a walkover or retirement.

Vondrousova, currently ranked 60th and unseeded at the tournament, has battled numerous injuries throughout her career, including multiple wrist and shoulder surgeries, which have impacted her time on the tour.

The remaining women’s quarterfinal matches, featuring Iga Swiatek vs. Amanda Anisimova and Karolina Muchova vs. Naomi Osaka, are scheduled for Wednesday.

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