German fifth seed Angelique Kerber has moved into the Brisbane International quarterfinals after Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova retired injured in their second-round clash on Wednesday.
World No.9 Kerber led 6-2 4-3 before last year’s Brisbane finalist Pavlyuchenkova succumbed to a left thigh injury.
Pavlyuchenkova – the world No.26 – took a medical timeout to have her left leg strapped trailing 3-2 in the second set before lasting just two more games.
Two-time Grand Slam semifinalist Kerber booked a quarterfinal clash with former world No.1 Jelena Jankovic.
Pavlyuchenkova’s injury followed the withdrawal of Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki (illness) from her second-round clash with Swiss player Stefanie Voegele on Wednesday.
Officials confirmed that the world No.15 and German seventh seed was suffering a gastrointestinal illness.
Lisicki was on track to play world No.2 Victoria Azarenka in the Brisbane quarterfinals.