US Open Flushing Meadows New York 04/09/2023 Day 8 Madison Keys (USA) wins fourth round match Photo Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
Madison Keys unleashed a scheduling earthquake on Friday as the former US Open winner pulled the plug on her Madrid Masters opener shortly before match time.
The American cited illness as she withdrew before her second-round opening encounter with Zhang Shuai in the Spanish capital.
Her replacement, Austrian lucky loser Anastasia Potapova, took full advantage of her stroke of luck, advancing past the Chinese player 6-3, 6-1.
Keys is the sixth major name to pull from the clay event which is being stretched – like most of the other Masters tournaments – to a controversial two-week period despite complaints from players
Others who have quit include two-time Grand Slam finalist Amanda Anisimova, world No. 14 Ekaterina Alexandrova and Brit Jack Draper.
Holder Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic both pulled out before the start with injuries, leaving the way apparently clear for Jannik Sinner to bid for an unprecedented fifth consecutive Masters title.
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