'Never seen that': Australian Open rocked by 'heartbreaking' scenes
The Australian Open has witnessed some tough scenes after unseeded French player Harmony Tan needed a wheelchair to leave court after breaking down just before the end of the match.
Earlier, Tan had saved match point after battling back from 5-4 against World No.17 Elina Svitolina, before taking the set.
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Tan was in visible pain in the deciding set and took a Medical Time Out towards the end of the third set.
She was then down 5-1 in the third when she could hardly walk.
Tan didn't want to quit, but the referee mentioned it could be detrimental to her injury, before the unseeded player called time.
Tan cut a broken figure when she was wheeled off court.
Tennis world rallies around stoic Aus Open player
Fans watching were supportive of Tan and said her reluctance to give up, despite being in serious pain, showed her true class.
𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 💔
Harmony Tan retires through injury at 6-3, 5-7, 5-1, meaning Elina Svitolina goes through to the next round. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/OTlnMUJxYr— Live Tennis (@livetennis) January 19, 2022
Not sure I've ever seen this, but the chair umpire just advised Harmony Tan to retire due to a calf injury.
Tan so desperately wanted to finish the match down 1-5 in the third. Incredible fight throughout.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/B4ybCNtl3k— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) January 19, 2022
Feeling rough with Harmony Tan. Elina Svitolina served for the match at 5-4 in the second, had match point.
Tan produced some feathery drop shots to rein in her opponent and push it to a third set.
Recover soon woman. Keep your head up. You did well out there. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/jq0xOPEF2c— Anand Datla (@SportASmile) January 19, 2022
At 5-1 in the third Richaird Haigh, the chair umpire, told Harmony Tan, who just received a MTO and was still visibly in pain, that if she continues it may result in more injury and she agreed to retire. Obviously didn’t want to retire at such score. Svitolina into R3 pic.twitter.com/518m1FGdmO
— Salty🧂 (@saltytennis) January 19, 2022
Harmony Tan will have won many admirers among those who saw the end of that much.#AusOpen
— CJ Murrumbeena (@CJMurrumbeena) January 19, 2022
Heroic effort from Harmony Tan. Tried so damn hard to finish the match. Gotta take that energy into my workday. #AusOpen
— Kris Dmytrenko (@krisdmytrenko) January 19, 2022
Svitolina will now take on 24th seed Victoria Azarenka in a blockbuster Third Round clash at the Australian Open.
Azarenka defeated Jil Teichmann 6-1, 6-2.
World No.1 Ash Barty also advanced to the Third Round having only dropped three games across two matches so far.
Lucia Bronzetti was demolished in just 52 minutes on Wednesday.
The Italian was no match for Australia's World No.1 on Rod Laver Arena as Barty produced an array of slices and lob shots in a 6-1, 6-1 masterclass.
Barty showcased her vast arsenal of shots, including one stunning lob during the match.
"I would say she's got the best lob in the game," Jelena Dokic said in commentary for Channel Nine.
Co-commentator Sam Smith said: "You have to feel for Lucia.
"One minute she's playing the ball off her toes and next she needs a step-ladder."
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