BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Grigor Dimitrov, the defending champion of the Brisbane International, was forced to retire from his semifinal match on Saturday, opening the door for Jiri Lehecka to vie for a second Australian title. Dimitrov, ranked No. 10 in the world, found himself trailing 6-4, 4-4 when he sought treatment on his groin and hip area at Pat Rafter Arena. After briefly leaving the court for treatment, he attempted to continue playing before ultimately deciding to retire from the match, propelling the 23-year-old Lehecka into his fourth ATP final.
Lehecka, who clinched the Adelaide International title last year for his first ATP singles tournament victory, expressed his well wishes for Dimitrov’s recovery as the former world No. 3 now faces a week to recuperate before the Australian Open commences on January 12 in Melbourne.
“I hope it’s nothing serious for Grigor; the first set and first half of the second had a good level,” Lehecka remarked. “I’d like to finish the match in a different way, but hopefully he’ll be all right.”
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