NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 04: Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in action against Daria Kasatkina of … [+] Russia in the fourth round on Day 8 of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 04, 2023 in New York City (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
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Wimbledon favorite and two-time semifinalist Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from the tournament on its first day due to a shoulder injury.
The No. 3 seed was due to face American Emina Bektas in the first round on Monday morning at The All-England Club. She will be replaced by lucky loser Erika Andreeva.
Sabalenka lost Saturday via walkover to Anna Kalinskaya in the quarterfinals of Berlin.
She told reporters following the match she was not 100% and can’t serve without pain because of the shoulder injury.
The two-time Australian Open champion was a slight betting favorite over world No. 1 and five-time major champion Iga Swiatek (+375).
They are followed by 2022 champion Elena Rybakina (+650), U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff (+675), Ons Jabeur (+1150) and four-time major champ Naomi Osaka (+2000).
