Aryna Sabalenka’s quarterfinal match at the 2025 US Open has been canceled. The defending champion was set to face Markéta Vondroušová for a spot in the semifinal, but her opponent pulled out of the tournament just hours before their match.
Sabalenka and Vondroušová’s match was expected to start off the night session on Tuesday, September 2.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Opponent Markéta Vondroušová Withdraws From the US Open
Vondroušová, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, was gearing up to contest her second quarterfinal in New York after 2023. She reached the final eight after convincing performances against Oksana Selekhmeteva, McCartney Kessler, and Jasmine Paolini. In her fourth-round match against fellow former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, the Czech tennis player was stretched to three sets.
Vondroušová, who beat Sabalenka in straight sets in Berlin earlier this year, seemed ready to challenge the World No. 1 on Tuesday. Just a couple of hours before their anticipated match, though, she withdrew due to an injury.
Marketa Vondrousova has withdrawn from the Women’s Singles event with an injury.
A revised schedule for tonight’s evening session will follow shortly.
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2025
According to reports, the 26-year-old sustained the injury during a practice session before the quarterfinal. Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the semifinals of the US Open through walkover. For a place in Saturday’s showdown, she faces Jessica Pegula in a rematch of last year’s final.
The World No. 1 was saddened by the news of her opponent’s withdrawal and wrote a message conveying her regret.
“So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through. She has been playing amazing tennis and I know how badly this must hurt for her. Take care of yourself and I hope you can recover quickly. Love Aryna,” her Instagram story read.
Despite boasting a rich resume, which includes a final at the 2019 French Open, a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, and a Grand Slam victory at Wimbledon 2023, Vondroušová’s tennis career has been plagued by injuries. In 2022, the Czech player was sidelined for a prolonged period due to wrist surgery.
At the 2023 US Open, meanwhile, she pulled out of her doubles match due to an arm injury, which ultimately resulted in her quarterfinal defeat to Madison Keys a couple of days later.
In 2024, the former World No. 6 underwent shoulder surgery, which pushed her to the sidelines for six months. She staged a comeback in 2025 at the Adelaide International.
