Defending champion Elena Rybakina withdraws from Indian Wells Open 2024 due to illness

Published at :March 9, 2024 at 5:21 PM

Modified at :March 9, 2024 at 8:59 PM

(Courtesy : News 18)

Rybakina was replaced by Kayla Day, who crashed out with a defeat against Nadia Podoroska

Defending champion Elena Rybakina withdrew from the Indian Wells Open 2024, just hours before her second-round match against Nadia Podoroska, citing a gastrointestinal illness.

The 24-year-old Kazakh player’s spot was taken by lucky loser Kayla Day. However, Day’s return to Indian Wells after a four-year hiatus ended in a straight-set defeat, 7-6(3), 6-4, to Podoroska.

Rybakina had a strong start to 2024, claiming the Brisbane International title with a convincing 6-0, 6-3 victory over Aryna Sabalenka. Ranked World No. 4, she continued her success with a win against Daria Kasatkina in the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open final, 6-1, 6-4.

Despite reaching the final in Doha, Rybakina fell to Iga Swiatek and later gave a walkover to Jasmine Paolini in Dubai, citing illness. This marks her second withdrawal within a fortnight.

The WTA 1000 event saw other high-profile exits as well. Sixth seed Ons Jabeur suffered a straight-set loss, 6-4, 6-4, to unseeded American Katie Volynets in the second round. This victory marks the biggest of Volynets’ career. Meanwhile, Angelique Kerber made a successful comeback from maternity leave, overcoming a one-set deficit to defeat No. 10 seed Jelena Ostapenko, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, in a match lasting over two hours.

Defending champion Elena Rybakina withdraws from Indian Wells Open 2024 due to illness

Rybakina was replaced by Kayla Day, who crashed out with a defeat against Nadia Podoroska

Trending Indian Sports articles