Karolina Pliskova advanced to the Queen’s Club quarterfinals after Victoria Mboko retired due to a knee injury. The incident occurred during their match on Wednesday, as Mboko fell hard late in the second set.
Match Overview
At the time of the retirement, Pliskova was leading 6-2, 3-4. Mboko was in a position to break Pliskova’s serve, holding a crucial break point. However, while chasing a forehand from Pliskova, she slipped on the grass and grabbed her left knee in pain.
Mboko was unable to continue and chose to retire before the next point was played.
Pliskova’s Reaction
In her on-court interview, Pliskova expressed sympathy for her opponent. “I think we played quite a good game today,” she stated. She added that she was enjoying the match and hoped for Mboko’s recovery ahead of Wimbledon.
Pliskova checked on Mboko after the fall and provided her with a towel, showcasing sportsmanship during a challenging moment.
Career Highlights
- This year, Pliskova has achieved two Top 10 wins, both resulting from opponent retirements.
- Previously, she led Amanda Anisimova in the third set at Doha before Anisimova retired due to injury.
- For Mboko, this marks her first retirement at the WTA Tour level, adding to her total of three career retirements, with two occurring in ITF events.
As the tournament progresses, both players will look ahead to their upcoming matches, with hopes of health and strong performances.
