Bertens’ French Open ends in disappointment

An emotional Kiki Bertens has had to withdraw from the French Open after succumbing to a gastrointestinal illness.

The world number four had been expected to enjoy a long run in Paris after enjoying a fine year to date but was forced to retire from her second-round match against Viktoria Kuzmova when she was trailing 4-1 in the first set.

The Dutchwoman, who won the recent Madrid Open and reached the semi-finals in Rome and Stuttgart, said: “I had felt good. No problems at all. I was practicing, resting, and I felt really well.

“And then I woke up at 3:00 and felt really sick. Vomiting all night long, all day long. I felt a little bit better before the match.

I had some sleep and I just wanted to give it a try, but then as soon as I started warming up right before the match, it started again.

“Yeah, there was not any energy left.” Kateryna Kozlova was also forced to withdraw due to a viral illness ahead of her match against Elina Svitolina. Meanwhile, British number one Johanna Konta will play Kuzmova in the third round after winning a fluctuating match against Lauren Davis 6-1 1-6 6-3.

Konta had not progressed beyond the first round at the French Open until this year’s tournament, which she is 34.00 to win outright. Kaia Kanepi, who knocked out Julia Goerges in the first round, hit back to defeat Zhang Shuai 6-7 6-0 7-5 and is 126.00 to win the tournament.