Li Na of China returns a shot to Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria during their Paris Open tennis tournament at Coubertin stadium in Paris February 7, 2012. – Reuters pic
China’s Li, the world number nine, threw in the towel when she was 7-6 3-2 down. The third seed had called on the trainer earlier to treat back pain.
Also today, former world number one Jelena Jankovic of Serbia pulled out with a thigh strain.
The world number 13, seeded fourth in Paris, picked up the injury in a Fed Cup tie against Belgium last weekend.
“I am really disappointed not to play here,” she told a news conference. “I don’t know when I will be able to resume playing but I don’t regret having played in the Fed Cup.” – Reuters
