Very unusual scenes occurred at the 2023 Adelaide International 2, as both finalists were decided by a walkover.
Usually, players fight for every dollar of prize money and for every point that they can get at WTA 500 events, as those are the third highest-level tournaments on the WTA Tour. However, that's much different when a Grand Slam tournament is around the corner as it's in this case. The 2023 Australian Open will start on Monday, and it cause very bizarre situation in Adelaide.
In the first semifinal match of the event, world no. 11, Paula Badosa, was set to play against no. 8, Daria Kasatkina. However, the Spanish player withdrew because of a right thigh, and in a statement, she admitted that it was also because of the upcoming major.
"Yesterday when I was playing against Bia it was a very tough match, especially physical, so I felt a little bit in my abductor. I felt like I pulled it a little bit. Today I feel a little bit worse. I have Australian Open ahead, and I hope I can recover for that."
A few hours later, world no. 13, Belinda Bencic was supposed to take on no. 9, Veronika Kudermetova in another match of two very high-ranked players. However, this time the Russian withdrew from the event and so the final match is set without a single tennis ball hit.
The eighth-seeded Belinda Bencic will play against the fifth-seeded Daria Kasatkina, and fans in the city will hope that the final will be played.
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