By Sports Reporter/Doha
China’s Li Na has pulled out of next week’s $2.3 million Qatar Open after failing to recover from the ankle injury she suffered in her Australian Open final defeat to Victoria Azarenka.
“Li Na has withdrawn from @QatarTennis due to her ankle injury from the Australian Open final. #WTA #tennis,” the WTA said on its Twitter account.
Li had crushed Maria Sharapova in straight sets in the semi-final in Melbourne last month before the ankle injury struck in the final against Azarenka. Sharapova had broken a tournament record in conceding just nine games in reaching the last four but she was overwhelmed by Li.
Earlier this week, Venus Williams also pulled out of the tournament citing back trouble. The Qatar field still features nine of the top 10 players in the women’s rankings.
Li’s withdrawal spelt good news for Hungary’s Timea Babos, who is now in the main draw. She is ranked 79.