PARIS (AP) — Literal na hindi pinawisan si Russian star Maria Sharapova para masungkit ang quarterfinals seat sa French Open.

Iang oras bago ang laban, umatras ang karibal niya at nagbabalik na si Serena Williams bunsod nang injury. Ito ang unang sabak ni Williams sa major tournament matapos magsilang ng kanyang supling nitong Setyembre.

“I have given up so much to be here. There is times where I’m on the court and I’m practicing, and I look on the monitor, and I see my daughter and she’s playing, and I want to be there,” pahayag ni Williams. “But I know that these are the sacrifices you have to make to live out your dream. And I have made every sacrifice that I could. So it’s extremely disappointing.”

Sa isinagawang news conference, sinabi ni Williams na sasailaim siya sa MRI sa Martes (Miyerkules sa Manila). Iginiit naman ng kanyang coach na si Patrick Mouratoglou na kinakitaan ng injury sa kanyang dibdib si Williams matapos ang isinagawang ultrasound.

“The fact that I physically can’t serve at all is a good indication that maybe I should just go back to the drawing board and stay positive,” ayon kay Williams. “and try to get better and not get it to a point where it could be a lot worse.”

Ikinalungkot naman ni Sharapova ang kaganapan at nagbigay ng mensahe kay Williams para sa kanyang “speedy recovery.”

Nakatakda namang magtuos sina No. 1 Simona Halep, two-time runner-up sa Roland Garros, at dating No. 1 Angelique Kerber, two-time major champion, sa quarterfinal sa Miyerkules (Huwebes sa Manila).

Magtutuos naman sa hiwalay na quarterfinals sina Sloane Stephens vs. Daria Kasatkina, at Madison Keys vs. Yulia Putintseva.