Federer withdraws from Madrid, Li sees off Zheng
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, May 7, 2014
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China's Li Na (left) shakes hands with compatriot Zheng Jie after winning their match at the Madrid Open in Spain yesterday. Li swept aside Zheng 6-2, 6-3. |
Roger Federer became the second of the world's top four to pull out of the Madrid Masters yesterday as he has decided to stay at home with his wife Mirka as they await the birth of their third child.
The 17-time grand slam champion's withdrawal comes just two days after world No. 2 Novak Djokovic also decided not to compete in the Spanish capital due to a wrist injury.
"I've decided to withdraw from Madrid to be with my wife Mirka during these next few exciting weeks for our family," he said on his official Facebook page.
"I apologise to my fans and hope to be back in Madrid next year. I'll be training near my home, and am excited to rejoin the Tour soon!"
Federer's withdrawal could benefit Wimbledon champion Andy Murray as the Scot is now the highest seeded player left in the second quarter of the draw.
Federer's announcement means he will likely miss the Rome Masters next week. He's previously suggested he would skip the French Open beginning on May 25 if it conflicted with the birth. Federer, a three-time winner in Madrid, hasn't missed a grand slam tournament since 2000.
Federer's 28-5 record on the season is the ATP's best, with the former No. 1 having won a title in Dubai.
Polish player Lukasz Kubot took Federer's place in the Madrid draw, and was to play Gilles Simon of France in a second-round match later yesterday.
There is still plenty of star power on show in the women's Madrid Open as Li Na and Maria Sharapova moved into round three with wins yesterday.
Australian Open champion Li had a more simple task as she swept aside fellow Chinese Zheng Jie 6-2, 6-3.
Zheng led the head-to-head record between the two 4-3 before the match, but Li has now won the last four meetings between the pair in straight sets and will face 16th seed Sloane Stephens in the next round.
Sharapova won her first tournament of the season on her return to clay in Stuttgart two weeks ago and looked in fine form as she raced through the first set 6-1.
However, Christina McHale of the United States went onto take the second 6-4 and led 4-1 in the decider.
Sharapova responded well under pressure to reel off five straight games to set up a meeting with Spain's Garbine Muguruza or 2011 US Open champion Sam Stosur in the last 16.
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