(Reuters) -World number one Ash Barty was forced to retire from her Italian Open quarter-final against Coco Gauff with an arm injury, raising doubts on her participation at the French Open. Barty, the 2019 French Open winner, was leading 6-4 2-1 against her American opponent when she called a physio and had her right-arm strapped with a compression sleeve. After the match, Barty revealed she was struggling to serve "anywhere near 100%" as heavy conditions aggravated her muscular problem during the match. The 24-year-old now faces a battle to prove her fitness before the French Open, which begins on May 30 in Paris. She will face the winner of the quarter-final between reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina.

Source: The Star May 14, 2021 17:10 UTC