Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova advanced to the quarterfinals of French Open 2018 after her opponent Serena Williams due to injury before their much-anticipated clash at Roland Garros. This is 28th-seeded Sharapova’s first appearance in the last eight of a grand slam since making a comeback from the infamous 15-month long doping ban. Though the 31-year-old would have liked to win the match rather being given a walkover but a victory would be much appreciated by Sharapova fans. Serena who herself returned to competitive tennis after giving birth to her first child, daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. complained of a pectoral muscle injury resulting in retiring from the match.

At the press conference, the 36-year-old said, “Unfortunately I’m having some issues with my pec muscle. Right now, I can’t actually serve so it’s kind of hard to play,” by further adding, “It’s very difficult, I love playing Maria. I’ve made every sacrifice I could. I made a commitment to myself and my team that if I wasn’t at least 60% I wouldn’t play. I’ve never felt this in my life. It’s so painful.

“I’m beyond disappointed. I gave up so much from time with my daughter & time with my family all for this moment. So it’s really difficult to be in this situation.” Serena Williams who played in the women’s doubles with sister Venus yesterday tried hard to work out the situation in order to play the match against Sharapova. She said, “I thought [doubles] was a perfect opportunity to see how I was going. I tried a lot of different tapings and support. It didn’t get a lot better.”

With Serena withdrawing from the Round of 16, it meant a third victory for Maria Sharapova who now trails 3-19 in their head-to-head battle. The World No. 30 Sharapova will now play either Garbine Muguruza or Lesia Tsurenko in the quarter-finals. With Serena factor out of the sight, critics and fans feel the 2012 and 2014 French Open champion has a good chance of bagging a third title at the Roland Garros.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 04, 2018 07:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).