“I’m not able to continue,” Karolina Pliskova becomes latest victim of flu as she withdraws from 2023 Dubai Championships

Former world No 1 Karolina Pliskova recently pulled out of her quarterfinal match against Iga Swiatek in Dubai citing virus and cramps. The 30-year-old played her previous match on Wednesday at the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships, where she emerged victorious over Anhelina Kalinina in a tough three-set battle, winning 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-2.

The Czech player had been busy this year as she already participated in six tournaments in two months. However, the results are not pleasing to her as she hasn’t been consistent this year. However, coming into the Dubai Tennis Championship, she had a good run until her last match. She even secured a top-ten victory by defeating Maria Sakkari in straight sets.

Karolina took to her Twitter and said, “I’m very sorry, but I have to withdraw from the DDFTennis. After playing the finals here a few years ago and doing very well this year, it’s very disappointing for me. But after struggling with a virus and cramps for couple hours right after my match, I’m not able to continue.”

However, fans had mixed opinions about her tweet. Most of them tweeted wishing her to recover soon and get back on to the court. While a few others mentioned that it was Iga’s effect on players. As Iga is in red-hot form, players are withdrawing from the tournament before the match with her. During the 2021 WTA 1000 event in Rome, Iga Swiatek completely dominated Karolina Pliskova, defeating her 6-0, 6-0.

Related: “The scores are speaking so loud,” Patrick Mouratoglou full of praise for ‘Killer’ Iga Swiatek

Disappointment for Karolina Pliskova as she suffers from viral flu

In her first match at the tournament, Karolina Pliskova defeated Tokyo Olympics runner-up Marketa Vondrousova with a 6-3, 6-4 victory. Following that, Pliskova easily dispatched world number seven Maria Sakkari, winning 6-1, 6-2. Pliskova then faced a tough challenge against Anhelina Kalinina, whom she ultimately defeated, setting up her second match against Iga Swiatek.

Meanwhile, Swiatek won her first title of the season in Doha the previous week, and she now finds herself just two wins away from securing her first title in Dubai and winning back-to-back titles. During her dominant run in Doha, Swiatek lost only five games in total. Iga Swiatek has been in excellent form this week as well.

She received a first-round bye in Dubai, after which she defeated Leylah Fernandez with ease, winning 6-1, 6-1. Swiatek continued her dominant performance on Wednesday by defeating Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-0 to reach the quarterfinals. Following Karolina Pliskova’s withdrawal, Swiatek received a walkover into the semifinals, where she will face the winner of the match between Cori Gauff and Madison Keys.

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