New Delhi: India's Sania Mirza entered the semi-finals of the Japan Open tennis in New Delhi on Friday after second-seeded Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli withdrew while trailing 4-6, 0-2 due to a shoulder injury.
Sania now plays fourth-seeded Italian Francesca Schiavone, who didn't even need to take the court after seventh-seeded Melinda Czink pulled out due to a right foot injury.
The 22-year-old Hyderabadi player said she was glad to outplay a top 15 player.
"You always like to win match point, so it was unfortunate the match ended this way. But I felt I was playing well and was in control. At the end of the day, a win is a win. The big thing for me is that I was outplaying a top-15 player, who was in good form," Sania said.
"I'm pleased that after two weeks of not playing my best, I am finishing on a high and have made the semi-finals. I'm playing a good friend next."
World No 13 Bartoli said she began to feel the pain when the match began.
"It's a problem with a tendon in my right shoulder. I felt it from the first point, but hadn't felt anything before," Bartoli said.
"I'm very disappointed but I'm also in a lot of pain. I'll rest for a while so I'm in the best shape for my next tournament, the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions in Bali."
Sania and Schiavone have played twice before, with the Italian losing the first set in both meetings but coming back to win.
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