Top seed Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the semi-finals of the Shenzhen Open, with Maria Sharapova forced to retire due to an injury.
Fifth-seeded Sharapova was trailing 6-1 4-2 on Friday before she cited a left thigh injury.
Sabalenka was aggressive from the onset and built a 3-0 lead in the first set. She fired clean winners and extended her lead to a double break at 5-1 before closing out the set.
Sharapova received off-court medical treatment and came back strongly by holding her serve early in the second set.
But Sabalenka pulled off three-straight breaks of serve and took a 3-2 lead and, a game later, Sharapova retired.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Sabalenka will face Romanian qualifier Monica Niculescu or Wang Yafan of China in the semi-finals.
