CINCINNATI: French Open finalist Lucie Safarova advanced to the quarter-finals of the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters on Thursday when injured opponent Belinda Bencic quit trailing 6-2.
The 12th-ranked Swiss teenager who beat Serena Williams and Simona Halep on her way to the Toronto trophy last weekend, lasted only 33 minutes, receiving treatment midway through the set on her right arm.
Bencic later explained she suffered with a muscle problem from so much recent tennis.
"It's just muscular, I'm very tight through the forearm. The change of balls and I played a lot of matches, I think that it's just too much pressure," she said.
With the US Open starting a week from Monday in New York, caution likely played a role in her decision.
She will make a late decision on whether to play in next week's WTA tournament in New Haven the week before the start of the Open.
"I don't think it's like very serious, I just wasn't 100 per cent today. To beat Lucie or even compete against her, you need to be 100 per cent," she said.
"I'm really sorry I had to retire. It was like I think the first time ever I retired a match, so it didn't feel very good.
"Physically I'm fine except this, and mentally I'm also fine. I mean, I won a lot of matches. I think that's the best that can happen to you mentally."
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