Injury forces top-seeded Angelique Kerber to quit Swedish Open

BASTAD, Sweden - Top-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany withdrew from the Swedish Open on Thursday because of an elbow injury, while fourth-seeded Annika Beck advanced to the quarterfinals.

Kerber, who lost to Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final earlier this month, injured her elbow during Wednesday’s second-round victory over local wild card Carolina Lister. The German came through after a medical timeout, but was unable to play Thursday’s scheduled match against Lara Arruabarrena of Spain.

“I was practicing this morning and I was not feeling 100 percent,” Kerber said. “It’s still painful so that’s why I decided not to risk it and why I’m withdrawing.”

She said she will now focus on the North American hard-court season and is looking to recover in time for next week’s Rogers Cup.

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In the quarterfinals at Bastad, Arruabarrena plays Germany’s Laura Siegemund, who defeated Lucie Hradecka 7-5, 7-6 (4).

Beck dismissed Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia with a comfortable 6-2, 6-0 victory, and next plays eighth-seeded Johanna Larsson after the Swede defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain 6-0, 6-3.

In the last second-round match, Julia Goerges of Germany fought back to defeat Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. Goerges plays Italy’s Karin Knapp who beat 2014 champion Mona Barthel on Tuesday.