Victoria Azarenka pulls out of Madrid Open through injury

04 May 2016 01:53

Women's world number five Victoria Azarenka has withdrawn from the Madrid Open due to a lower back injury, the WTA has announced.

The two-time Australian Open champion was set to meet American Louisa Chirico in the third round but the latter has now been given a walkover.

Azarenka had seen off Britain's Laura Robson and then France's Alize Cornet in previous rounds.

The fourth seed's withdrawal is the latest big name exit at the Madrid Open, with top seed Agnieszka Radwanska, current Australian Open champion and second seed Angelique Kerber and third seed Garbine Muguruza all leaving in previous rounds.

Petra Kvitova, the fifth seed, also exited on Wednesday, losing 6-3 6-4 to Australia's Daria Gavrilova.

Source: PA