Top-seeded Wozniacki turns ankle, retires; Zvonareva to meet Stosur at Charleston final

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Zvonareva to face Stosur in Charleston final

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki retired from her semifinal match against Vera Zvonareva at the Family Circle Cup on Saturday after injuring her right ankle.

The Danish player was trailing 2-4 in the first set when she slid for a drop shot and her foot caught on the clay surface. She was assisted to her chair and got her ankle taped.

To cheers from the crowd, Wozniacki returned to the court at Daniel Island. But after Zvonareva held to go up 5-2, Wozniacki double-faulted at 15-15 and retired. Wozniacki was looking for her second straight tournament win, after a victory last week at Ponte Verde Beach, Fla.

In Sunday’s final, Zvonareva meets Samantha Stosur of Australia, who defeated Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 6-3, 7-6 (2).

Wozniacki, who was limping and had her ankle taped as she met with reporters, said she will have an MRI on Sunday. She said she heard a snap and felt pain while trying to run down the ball.

“I was surprised that I could stand on my leg, which was very positive, actually,” she said. “But as soon as I was moving to the sides, it was impossible, so I couldn’t play.”

Wozniacki suffered a similar injury to her left ankle at Amelia Island two years ago that kept her away from tennis about three weeks. She was asked if she will play the French Open, which starts the last week of May.

“Well, I certainly hope so. As it looks right now, it’s not too bad,” Wozniacki said.

Zvonareva missed the clay-court season last year after injuring her right ankle in a Family Circle Cup match.

“It’s great to be in the finals, but it’s not great to be in the finals this way,” said Zvonareva, ranked 22nd. “I don’t wish anyone to be in that situation because last year it was very difficult for me.”

A runner-up in Charleston two years ago, she said she spoke briefly with Wozniacki at the net.

“I told her to take care about it and, you know, I have some experience with that and if she needs some advice,” she said. “I think she needs to relax a little bit right now because it’s difficult too — there are so many things going through your mind.”

Stosur, ranked No. 11, battled back after falling behind 5-2 in the second set. She said she wasn’t thinking about a three-set match.

“Once I hold to go to 5-3, then break, it’s anyone’s match again,” said Stosur, who fired eight aces, including one during the second-set tiebreaker.

“I’ve been getting close this year,” said Stosur, who reached the semifinals at Indian Wells earlier this year. “I’ve had pretty consistent results and been playing well, so I think I’m kind of getting rewarded for doing that week in, week out.”

“I felt a little bit tired and not as fresh as I was in the previous matches, but still, you know, I kept fighting,” Hantuchova said. “Sam played a very good match. She was serving unbelievable first and second set.”