By W. G. S. D. Wijesinghe, Jadetimes news
Italian Jasmine Paolini has secured a spot in the Wimbledon quarter finals after Madison Keys retired due to an injury during the deciding set. The 29 year old American was forced to halt play with the score tied at 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 5-5 on Court One.
Keys appeared to sustain the injury while hitting a forehand while serving for the match at 5-2 in the final set. She took a medical timeout at 5-4, receiving treatment before temporarily leaving the court. When Keys returned, she had noticeable strapping on her thigh and was visibly affected by the injury.
Paolini, 28, broke Keys serve to level the set at 5-5 before Keys decided she could no longer continue. "Right now I’m so sorry for her," Paolini commented. "To end the match like this is bad. What can I say? I think we played a really good match. It was tough. A lot of ups and downs. I’m feeling a bit happy but also sad for her. It’s not easy to win like that."
This year's tournament has been a breakthrough for Paolini, who had never won a match in the Wimbledon main draw before. After taking the first set, she fell behind 5-1 in the second but rallied to force a tie break, which Keys eventually won on her fourth set point. In the final set, Keys built a substantial lead before her injury struck.
Paolini will face the winner of the all American match between Coco Gauff and Emma Navarro in the quarterfinals.
