French Open tennis - Top seed Ashleigh Barty out in second round after injury withdrawal against Magda Linette

ByRichard Newman

Updated 03/06/2021 at 12:38 GMT

The 2019 Roland Garros champion struggled with a left hip injury and received lengthy treatment off the court after losing the opening set 6-1. The Australian tried to battle on but eventually admitted defeat and pulled out with the match 2-2 in the second set. Barty admitted before the match that the injury had flared up and that it was an "acute episode".

Top seed Ashleigh Barty is out of the French Open after she was forced to withdraw from her second round match with Magda Linette through injury.

The 2019 Roland Garros champion revealed after her first round victory over Bernarda Pera that she had a "flare up" in her left hip, and the issue looked to be troubling her right from the start.

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The Australian battled through pain in the opening set but dropped it 6-1 to the Pole, before receiving a medical timeout off court to receive lengthy treatment.

Though she returned to Philippe Chatrier and was able to hold serve, Barty eventually called it quits with the score 2-2 in the second set and looked dejected as she left the tournament's main court.

Her withdrawal opens up the draw further after second seed Naomi Osaka withdrew earlier in the week and leaves defending champion Iga Swiatek, who is in action later on Thursday, as the favourite to take the title.

Highlights: Barty retires hurt v Linette

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Watch all the action from the 2021 French Open live on Eurosport, eurosport.co.uk and the Eurosport app with 13-time champion Rafael Nadal eyeing a remarkable 14th title at his favourite event and 2020 Roland Garros sensation Iga Swiatek aiming to replicate her stunning triumph in Paris.

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