Seven players have been forced to pull out of Wimbledon on Wednesday in the most injury-hit second round in the competition’s history while British number one Andy Murray made his way safely through to the third round on a remarkable day of injuries and retirements at Wimbledon.
Murray did not put a foot wrong as he saw off Taiwan’s Yen-Hsun Lu 6-3 6-3 7-5 on Court One, and the Scot will play Spanish 32nd seed Tommy Robredo in the last 32. Women’s second seed Victoria Azarenka and men’s sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga were among those who withdrew, reports the BBC.
Organisers rejected Azarenka’s claims that the courts were of poor quality, describing them as “excellent”. But Maria Sharapova, who lost to Michelle Larcher De Brito on court two, referred to the surface as “dangerous”.
Earlier, Steve Darcis, who beat Rafael Nadal in the first round, pulled out with a shoulder problem, while both Marin Cilic and John Isner retired with knee injuries and a left hamstring problem ended Radek Stepanek’s campaign.
Yaroslava Shvedova then also withdrew ahead of her second-round match with eighth seed Petra Kvitova, citing an injury to her right arm.
“There have been no changes in the preparation of the courts and as far as we are aware the grass court surface is in excellent condition,” the All England Lawn Tennis And Croquet Club (AELTC) said in a statement.
“In fact we believe that it is drier than last year when the prevailing conditions were cold and wet.
Two-time semi-finalist Azarenka fell heavily during Monday’s 6-1 6-2 first-round win over Maria Joao Koehler of Portugal and required lengthy treatment before continuing with heavy strapping on her knee.
“The court was not in a very good condition that day. My opponent fell twice and I fell badly,” said Azarenka. “I don’t know if it’s the court or the weather. I can’t figure it out.
“There is nothing I’ve done wrong that cost me to just withdraw from Wimbledon.”
