Elena Rybakina rival in tears during 'heartbreaking' Wimbledon scenes

For the second time in three matches, defending champion Elena Rybakina's charge at Wimbledon has been overshadowed by a shattering injury to her opponent. Rybakina booked her place in the quarter-finals at the All England Club after a match against an injured Beatriz Haddad Maia that lasted just 21 minutes.

Days after coming through a second round match Alizé Cornet that saw the Frenchwoman exit in the aftermath of horror slip, Rybakina was again the beneficiary of her opponent's devastating misfortune. This time it was the in-form 13th seed, Haddad Maia, who pulled up grabbing at her back after being broken in just the fourth game.

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The Brazilian was wincing in pain and could be seen with tears streaming down her face as she called for the physio before undergoing a lengthy medical timeout. Haddad Maia bravely returned to the court but it was obvious she was in considerable discomfort.

The 13th seed tried to carry on but with her movement severely restricted during a Rybakina service game, it was clear she could no longer continue. Having been in tears throughout what proved to be the final game, the Brazilian reluctantly walked to the net and shook hands with Rybakina at 4-1 down in the opening set.

Tennis world rocked by awful scenes

Rybakina was clearly gutted for her injured rival and showed her class by offering a hug to her distressed opponent. The awful scenes left viewers shattered, with messages of support flooding social media for Haddad Maia.

Elena Rybakina and Ons Jabeur to meet in quarter-finals

Having dropped the first set of her opening round clash against Shelby Rogers, it's been smooth sailing for Rybakina since, with her lack of court time perhaps posing an issue ahead of a quarter-final showdown with Ons Jabeur. The Tunisian set up a rematch of last year's Wimbledon final with Rybakina, by hammering two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova on Centre Court in an emphatic statement.

The sixth seed dished out a 6-0 6-3 masterclass in just over one hour to send an ominous message to Rybakina. Jabeur then delivered a verbal message to the Kazakh, warning that she was out to avenge the defeat from last year's decider.

"(The quarter-final) will be a difficult match, I am going for my revenge," said Jabeur. "It was a difficult final last year, it is going to bring a lot of memories, I am hoping to play like today and get the win, it will be a difficult match."

In other women's matches, Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka gained a comfortable 6-4 6-0 victory over Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova. The World No.2, who could end the fortnight as No.1 if she wins the Wimbledon title, will next meet Madison Keys in the last-eight after the American disposed of Russian teen sensation, Mirra Andreeva.

The 16-year-old Russian went down 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 after controversially being docked a point for a racquet throw that handed Keys match point. Andreeva argued that the racquet slipped from her grasp, before going on to lose the match. In a poor moment she then refused to shake hands with the chair umpire.

with agencies

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