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NEW DELHI: Defending Brisbane International champion Grigor Dimitrov was forced to retire from his semifinal match against Jiri Lehecka on Saturday, handing the 23-year-old Czech player a chance to compete for his second Australian title.
The match was evenly poised at 6-4, 4-4 when Dimitrov, the world No. 10, required medical attention for an issue with his groin and hip region at the Pat Rafter Arena.
Despite attempting to continue playing, the former world No. 3 ultimately decided to retire from the match, allowing Lehecka to advance to his fourth ATP final.
This development comes just a week before the Australian Open, which is set to commence on January 12 in Melbourne, leaving Dimitrov with a limited timeframe to recover from his injury.
Lehecka, who won his first ATP singles tournament title at the Adelaide International last year, expressed his concern for Dimitrov’s well-being, acknowledging the high level of play in the first set and the early stages of the second set.
“I hope it’s nothing serious for Grigor; the first set and first half of the second had a good level,” Lehecka said. “I’d like to finish the match in a different way, but hopefully he’ll be all right.”
The retirement of Dimitrov, a former top-three player in the world, highlights the physical demands and risks associated with professional tennis.
For Lehecka, the opportunity to compete for another Australian title represents a significant milestone in his young career. Having already tasted success at the Adelaide International, he will be eager to build upon that achievement and continue his ascent in the ATP rankings.
As the Australian Open approaches, all eyes will be on Dimitrov’s recovery process. The Bulgarian will undoubtedly be working closely with his medical team to assess the extent of his injury and determine the best course of action to ensure his participation in the year’s first Grand Slam tournament.
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