Angelique Kerber advances to Western & Southern Open semifinal after Kvitova retires

The German player was well in control of the match when Kvitova retired. From the start of the match, Kvitova appeared to be in some sort of discomfort with the Czech player notably refusing to play longer rallies. Every time a rally developed Kvitova would look to shorten the point.

She also hit the ball harder than before in hopes of shortening the points as well as going for high-risk shots that sometimes worked and sometimes didn't. Kerber for the most part played rather well and has no issues in holding her serve. For Kvitova, it was more of a struggle.

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Ultimately she lost her serve at 4-4 giving Kerber the 5-4 lead which she turned into a 6-4 first set victory. Kvitova took an early break 2-0 in the 2nd set but rushed off quickly to the locker room. Upon return, she apologized and later took a MTO for what seemed like a stomach issue of sorts.

After Kerber tied it up at 3-3 Kvitova decided it was not worth to push it further and the Czech player retired from the match. Kerber moves on to the semifinal where Ashleigh Barty awaits while Kvitova will look to recover in the for the US Open.

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Angelique Kerber advances to the semis 6-4, 3-3 ret. as Kvitova is forced to retire. #CincyTennis

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