Aussie star reaches WTA final as opponent says she was 'pressured' to withdraw
Talia Gibson has reached her maiden WTA singles final as Tatiana Prozorova takes a swipe at the WTA, saying a physio "pressured" her into withdrawing from their semifinal after she was hit by a smash during a doubles match.
Australian tennis sensation Talia Gibson has advanced to her first WTA singles final at the Singapore Open, dethroning Russian opponent Tatiana Prozorova, who cited medical concerns as the reason for her withdrawal. Prozorova accused a physiotherapist of coercing her to pull out of their semifinal match following a smash in a previous doubles match. The 22-year-old Gibson will now face either French Open champion Maya Chwalinska or 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in the decider.
The Russian player, who fell to the ground during a doubles match and was administered a medical timeout, later revealed she was unable to participate in the final after failing a concussion test. Prozorova claimed she was pressured by a physiotherapist to withdraw from the match, who insisted she required at least six days of rest from tennis. She also argued that the WTA's protocols render players helpless in such situations.
Despite Gibson's upset win over seventh seed Maria Sakkari in the quarterfinals, Prozorova's participation in the final was ultimately called into question. The world number 180, who stunned popular Filipino third seed Alex Eala in the second round, expressed her disappointment and frustration with the decision. Prozorova called for the WTA to reconsider its rules, warning that the current system leaves players with no agency over their own health and well-being.
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