Elina Svitolina withdraws from Cincinnati Open with ankle injury

World No. 9 Elina Svitolina has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open ahead of her third-round clash with Wang Xiyu after failing to recover from a right ankle injury.

Svitolina’s withdrawal means China’s Wang Xiyu advances to the last 16 without taking to the court. She will next face Madison Keys for a place in the quarter-finals.

The Ukrainian revealed that she had been unable to recover sufficiently from the injury she picked up in Toronto and aggravated during her second-round match in Cincinnati.

“Unfortunately, I tried my best to recover, but the injury I sustained in Toronto and also pushed by the second-round match, I didn’t recover as I wish I could to get ready for my next round,” Svitolina said in a statement.

Svitolina also expressed her disappointment at leaving the tournament, where she has enjoyed strong results in the past.

“I have, of course, great memories of playing here and going deep in the tournament. Had a great match here two nights ago. Very sad to pull out this round.”

The Ukrainian star required a medical timeout during the second set of her second-round encounter with Tereza Valentova on Sunday to receive treatment on her right foot.

Despite the setback, Svitolina battled through the match and eventually secured a 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-0 victory to reach the third round.

Svitolina will now turn her attention to the US Open, which is scheduled to begin later this month, as she looks to recover fully from the ankle problem before the final Grand Slam of the season.