Marta Kostyuk withdrew from her women's doubles match just hours before she was scheduled to step back onto Wimbledon's No. 2 Court on Monday. The Ukrainian star had earlier breezed past American qualifier Ashlyn Krueger 6-4 6-4 in the opening match of the day on the show court to secure her first-ever quarter-final berth at the All England Club.
Walkover for Opponents
Kostyuk was set to partner Elena-Gabriela Ruse against Ellen Perez and Demi Schuurs in the doubles third round. However, No. 9 seeds Perez and Schuurs unexpectedly progressed into the quarter-finals via walkover after Kostyuk and Ruse pulled out. The withdrawal only affects the women's doubles competition, with Kostyuk still in the singles tournament and set to battle for a semi-final spot in two days' time.
Impressive Run Continues
Kostyuk has been among the most impressive performers since the clay-court season began. She claimed her biggest career trophy in Madrid before reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final at Roland Garros. Now, she has broken into the final eight at Wimbledon for the first time. The 24-year-old claimed the final four games of her singles clash, recovering from a break deficit in the second set to overcome Krueger in straight sets.
Schedule Changes and Withdrawal
Kostyuk had been scheduled to fulfil her post-match media obligations following her doubles outing. However, at around 2.45pm, it was announced that she would be holding her press conference at 3pm. Tournament organisers initially confirmed that Kostyuk and Ruse's doubles match had been moved to fourth on the order of play on No. 2 Court, rather than third, switching places with a mixed doubles quarter-final. Yet at 3pm, it was also confirmed that the Ukrainian-Romanian pairing had pulled out, handing the Perez-Schuurs team a walkover place in the quarter-finals. The club gave no indication as to whether it was Kostyuk or Ruse who had made the decision to withdraw.
Struggles After Singles Victory
The No. 12 seed had appeared to be struggling following her victory over Krueger. She remained seated at her bench for several minutes after the match, sipping water, shutting her eyes, and stretching before rising for her on-court interview. Kostyuk later revealed she had been battling stomach problems. "I did a little mistake and I had problems with my stomach. I still experience some problems," she explained. "Yeah, I think the heat. It was pretty stressful match for me because I was the one coming into this match with kind of being a favourite, such good opportunity, playing for the first quarter-final here in Wimbledon. Of course, there was more pressure. I think just all these things kind of connected. For sure the heat didn't help."
