LONDON (AFP) - France's Marion Bartoli withdrew before her second-round match at the Eastbourne International on Wednesday, sending second-seeded Li Na of China into the quarter-finals of the pre-Wimbledon event.

Bartoli, the 2011 champion on the English south coast, pulled out with a viral infection, she said in a statement.

"I'm really disappointed to have to withdraw, since it's so nice here and I've always done well at this tournament," she said.

"I have a virus and a fever and am really feeling terrible. I started feeling this way on Monday but it has gotten worse.

"I'm hoping to be back on the court after a few days of rest to get ready for Wimbledon."

Bartoli was ranked 15th for Wimbledon in the seedings announced by competition organisers on Wednesday.