Lucie Safarova, the 11th seed in the women’s draw at the Caja Mágica, has withdrawn from the tournament due to a stomach bug. The Czech world number 13, who lifted the title at the Prague Open last week, beat Coco Vandeweghe in the first round in Madrid and was due to play Samantha Stosur in the second round on Tuesday.
“I’m really sorry to have to withdraw from the Mutua Madrid Open. Unfortunately, I’m feeling too unwell to compete. The tournament is so well-run and Madrid is an amazing city. I’m really sad to not be able to play. I’ve always been well-supported here in Madrid and the fans here are amazing, and I look forward to returning next year,” Safarova said.
After the withdrawal of the 11th seed, world number 23 Stosur receives a walk-over into round three, where she will play the winner of the match between Carla Suárez Navarro and Sabine Lisicki.
Safarova and her doubles partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who together won two Grand Slams last year, were seeded second in the draw in Madrid and will be replaced by Raluca Olaru and Alicja Rosolska.
Back trouble for Giorgi
In addition, Camila Giorgi, the WTA world number 45, has withdrawn from the Mutua Madrid Open with a back injury. The Italian, recently a finalist in Katowice, beat her compatriot Sara Errani in the first round of the competition.
The news means that the Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is through to the third round in the Caja Mágica, where she awaits the winner of the clash between Dominika Cibulkova and Caroline Garcia.
