India’s Sania Mirza entered the semifinals of the Japan Open on Friday after second-seeded Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli withdrew while trailing 4-6, 0-2 due to a shoulder injury.
Sania now plays fourth-seeded Italian Francesca Schiavone, who didn't even need to take the court after seventh-seeded Melinda Czink pulled out due to a right foot injury.
The 22-year-old Hyderabadi said she was glad to outplay a top 15 player. “You always like to win match point, so it was unfortunate the match ended this way. But I felt I was playing well and was in control. At the end of the day, a win is a win. The big thing for me is that I was outplaying a top-15 player, who was in good form,” Sania said.
“I’m pleased that after two weeks of not playing my best, I am finishing on a high and have made the semifinals. I’m playing a good friend next.”
World No 13 Bartoli said she began to feel the pain when the match began.