Muguruza withdraws from Sydney, Bertens moves into quarterfinals
SYDNEY, Australia - Former World No.1 Garbiñe Muguruza has withdrawn from the Sydney International ahead of her second-round rematch against No.7 seed Kiki Bertens with a gastrointestinal illness, the tournament has announced.
The Spaniard had put together a 1-3 record in last week's Hopman Cup play, and yesterday added a solid 6-3, 6-4 win over compatriot Carla Suárez Navarro in her Sydney opener
Unfortunately, @GarbiMuguruza has had to withdraw from #SydneyTennis due to illness.
As a result, Kiki Bertens is into the 3R by way of walkover.
Get well soon, Garbine! 💪 pic.twitter.com/QSgAF8AbPu— #SydneyTennis (@SydneyTennis) January 8, 2019
This is the second consecutive year that Muguruza has been struck by an ill-timed ailment during her Australian Open warm-ups. In 2018, she was forced to retire from her Brisbane opener against Aleksandra Krunic and to subsequently withdraw from her Sydney quarterfinal against Daria Gavrilova due to a right thigh injury.
The 25-year-old's tilt with Bertens would have been a rematch of their second-round encounter last year, won by Muguruza 6-3, 7-6(6) - the two-time Grand Slam champion's first win in four meetings against the Dutchwoman.