NEW YORK (AP) — Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka returned to the U.S. Open semifinals without hitting a ball on Tuesday night because the woman she was supposed to face in the quarterfinals, 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova , pulled out of their match with an injury.

The U.S. Tennis Association's announcement of the walkover — about two hours before the match was scheduled to begin in Arthur Ashe Stadium — did not specify what was wrong with Vondrousova , a 26-year-old left-hander from the Czech Republic.

She had advanced to the quarterfinals with a three-set victory over 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on Sunday night.

Sabalenka now will meet No. 4 Jessica Pegula in the semifinals on Thursday. That is a rematch of last year’s championship match at Flushing

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