Rybakina retires from quarterfinal against Azarenka in Berlin before rain suspends play

Berlin, Jun 21 (AP) Elena Rybakina retired from her quarterfinal in Berlin on Friday, seemingly because of illness.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion was trailing Victoria Azarenka 3-1 in the first set at the grass-court Ladies Open and stopped playing after her double fault made it 15-15 in the fifth game.

Rybakina sat on her bench, put her hands to her face but didn't wait for a medical evaluation. After 40 seconds, she got up and quickly jogged to the locker room.

On Thursday, Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova retired from her match in Berlin because of a leg injury.

First-round play begins at Wimbledon on July 1.

Former No. 1 Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, will face second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka or Anna Kalinskaya in the semifinals.

Fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula led Katerina Siniakova 7-6 (2), 3-6, 4-2 when rain interrupted play. They will finish their match Saturday.

The other two quarterfinals were moved to Saturday: Sabalenka vs. Kalinskaya; and top-seeded Coco Gauff against Ons Jabeur. (AP) DDV