Madison Keys withdraws from WTA Finals with illness
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Madison Keys in action against Amanda Anisimova on Nov 3.
PHOTO: AFP
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- Madison Keys withdrew from the WTA Finals due to a viral illness and was replaced by Ekaterina Alexandrova in the tournament.
- Keys, who lost her previous matches, expressed disappointment but pride in her year, hoping to return next year.
- Alexandrova replaced Keys, while Mirra Andreeva declined due to fitness; Rybakina has secured her spot in the semi-finals.
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RIYADH - Madison Keys has withdrawn from her WTA Finals clash against Elena Rybakina on Nov 5 due to a viral illness and has been replaced in the draw by Ekaterina Alexandrova.
The Australian Open champion suffered two defeats in round-robin play this week in Riyadh, to Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova, and had no chance of advancing to the Nov 7 semi-finals.
At the end of her match against Anisimova on Nov 3, Keys wouldn’t shake her opponent’s hand, indicating she was feeling unwell and didn’t want to pass on the virus.
“I’m really disappointed to not be feeling my best and ultimately having to withdraw from the tournament. It’s a huge accomplishment to make it this far and I’m very proud of myself for doing that and having a great year. I hope to be back next year,” said Keys, in a statement.
Alexandrova is the second alternate in Riyadh. The first alternate, Mirra Andreeva, who is already competing in the doubles at this year’s WTA Finals, elected not to sign in due to not being fit to play on Nov 5.
Andreeva has a doubles match on Nov 6, alongside her partner Diana Shnaider, and might be called in for duty as an alternate to replace Jasmine Paolini in singles, given the Italian is no longer in contention for a semi-final spot and is also feeling unwell.
The Nov 5 schedule features the third and final set of round-robin matches in the Serena Williams Group, with Rybakina taking on Alexandrova and Swiatek facing off with Anisimova.
Rybakina has already secured her place in the semi-finals as the group winner, while Swiatek and Anisimova will battle it out for the other ticket to the final four. AFP
