After winning the first set 6-3, Belgian Kim Clijsters retired at 1-2 in the second set of her second round match against qualifier Zheng Jie at the Rogers Cup in Toronto, citing an injury to her left abdominal area. Clijsters had the area taped, and retired from the match as the trainer was set to attend to her for the second time.
Rogers Cup WTA Toronto: Kim Clijsters Retires Against Zheng Jie With Left Abdominal Injury
The match was Clijsters’ first since ‘s-Hertogenbosch in June, having pulled out of Wimbledon before the tournament began with a (presumably unrelated) foot injury.
In an interview with Rogers Sportsnet (a Canadian cable sports channel) after the match, Zheng said that Clijsters told her during the handshake that it was an issue with her “stomach muscle.” Zheng added that she could tell something was wrong with Clijsters, as the four-time Grand Slam champion was not able to reach her normal velocity on serves.
Clijsters, who was the No. 2 seed in Toronto, is the defending champion at next week’s Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, as well as at the upcoming US Open.
The injury also scuttles what had been a highly anticipated potential third round encounter between Clijsters and Serena Williams. Zheng will now face the winner of the second round round match between Williams and Julia Goerges.
Stay tuned to SB Nation’s coverage of the 2011 US Open Series at SBNation.com as well as on Twitter, @DailyForehand .
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