Ashleigh Barty's tennis comeback has been dealt a blow with the young Queenslander forced to withdraw from her campaign at the Hobart International as she puts herself on ice ahead of the Australian Open.
After winning two qualifying matches against higher-ranked players, the 20-year-old cited shoulder soreness as she pulled out of Sunday's final-round clash that could have put her into the main draw.
Barty's hopes to push on and partner fellow Aussie Casey Dellacqua were dashed later in the day.
"Barty has not overcome shoulder soreness to play doubles," the tournament tweeted.
It's a setback for the 2012 junior Wimbledon champion who is trying to get her tennis career back on track and climb from her world No.271 ranking after taking time out to try her hand at cricket in the WBBL.
There were no signs of fatigue for Barty after her 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 win on Saturday over world No.88 American Nicole Gibbs.
"It's nice to tick off another top-100 win coming into the first grand slam of the year," the Queenslander told reporters after play, clear in her intention to contest the Australian Open.
The win followed Friday's 6-3 2-6 6-4 defeat of South Korean Su Jeong Jang, ranked 143rd.
Barty's withdrawal is one of many from the Hobart tournament including reigning champion Alize Cornet. The Frenchwoman said a sore back after playing in the Brisbane International final would prevent her defending her title.
