Unfair San Diego match schedule overshadows star-studded quarter-finals as Sabalenka loses

| by Tom Grant

The San Diego Open quarter-final scheduling has been described as 'absolutely horrendous' after Aryna Sabalenka was forced to play the first match of the day despite a late finish on Thursday.

Belarussian Sabalenka lost to Donna Vekic - who had a day off on Thursday - in three gruelling sets early on Friday afternoon in a two hours and 37 minute match.

It was the second over two-hour match the number three seed Sabalenka had played in just over half a day after coming through a similar battle with American Sloane Stephens in a contest that finished at around 8.30pm local time.

The 11.30am start time for her quarter-final defeat to Vekic has left people questioning why the tournament organisers and the WTA planned the match schedule in such a way.

Tennis journalist Jose Morgado pointed out that the WTA had been inconsistent and inconsiderate towards the players with their haphazard scheduling of the matches.

In a Tweet, he wrote: "Winner of the 11.30am match facing the winner of the 7.30pm match; Also: Sabalenka finished 8.30pm and plays 11.30am the next day against a player who had a day off. Absolutely horrendous scheduling my lord."

The frustration felt by some comes after three of the four round of 16 matches on Thursday – featuring Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Sabalenka - lasted more than two hours, while Gauff also contested a doubles fixture with partner Jessica Pegula after her singles victory.

Pegula, Danielle Collins and Vekic all won through to the quarter-finals on Wednesday, giving them a rest day on the Thursday and it's feared the players that through on Wednesday have an unfair advantage given the extra recovery time their victory granted them.

The hardcourt tournament - a tennis return to San Diego after a seven year absence - featured seven top-10 players including Collins, Bianca Andreescu and Garbine Muguruza.

After Sabalenka's exit, the remainder of the quarter-final line-up includes Jessica Pegula against Madison Keys, Swiatek facing Gauff and Danielle Collins taking on Paula Bedosa.

2022 San Diego Open WTA Prize Money & Points Overview - $757,900
2022 San Diego Open WTA Prize Money & Points Overview - $757,900
Swiatek beats jetlag as Zheng forces her to play three sets in San Diego opener
Swiatek beats jetlag as Zheng forces her to play three sets in San Diego opener

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