A significant withdrawal has shaken up the draw at the prestigious WTA-1000 clay-court event in Rome. American tennis star Amanda Anisimova, currently ranked sixth in the world, has been forced to retire from the competition due to an injury sustained to her wrist.
The injury occurred ahead of her scheduled second-round match. Anisimova was set to face Latvian player Jelena Ostapenko, who holds the 36th position in the global rankings. The match was slated to begin at 17:40 Moscow time.
With Anisimova's unexpected departure, the tournament organizers have made a necessary adjustment to the main draw. Her spot will now be filled by Romanian athlete Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Ruse, currently ranked 67th in the WTA standings, will step in to compete in the tournament.
This withdrawal marks a notable moment in Anisimova's current season. According to the available information, this would have been her first appearance on clay courts this year, as she had not yet participated in any clay-court tournaments prior to the Rome event.
The Italian Open, as the tournament is commonly known, is currently underway in the Italian capital. The competition is scheduled to run from May 5th through May 16th. Defending the title this year is Italian player Jasmine Paolini, who will be looking to retain her championship on home soil.
The loss of a top-10 player like Anisimova is always a blow to a major tournament, altering the competitive landscape and opening opportunities for other athletes in the draw. Her health and recovery will now be the primary focus as the clay-court season continues.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.