By Chris Oddo | Friday, September 5, 2014
Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the US Open final when Peng Shuia bowed out due to heat-related illness in the second set.
Photo Source: Mike Stobe/Getty
At first the wind wreaked havoc on Caroline Wozniacki’s US Open semifinal with China’s Peng Shuai.
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But that was nothing compared to the strange, sad ending of the match which saw Peng retire due to heat-related illness in the eighth game of the second set.
Peng’s suffering was cringe-worthy for anyone tuning in, as she retreated to the back of the court with Wozniacki preparing to serve. Unable to place weight on her legs, and seemingly suffering from extreme cramps, she made her way back to return serve for one more point before retreating again.
She would be taken off in a wheelchair for approximately ten minutes, with Wozniacki left to wait and wonder what might happen next. Eventually Peng, who reportedly was adamant that she wanted to finish the match, returned to the court for few more points before crumbling to the court and writhing in pain as the match was officially called.
Wozniacki's 7-6(1), 4-3 win marks the first time a player has retired from a US Open semifinal in Open Era history.
“It turns out that Peng Shuai had a heat illness,” said US Open tournament executive David Brewer. “There was treatment that was activated. At that point, Peng Shuai wanted to go back on court, both medical personnel determined that she would not be endangered in any way by doing so.”
Wozniacki and Peng had engaged in a spirited battle for two hours and four minutes. After Peng broke to lead 6-5 in the opener, Wozniacki broke back to level and won a lopsided tiebreaker with steady shotmaking.
Peng opened a 2-0 lead in set two before dropping the next four games. Wozniacki, who took pills during the match to help her deal with a viral illness she had been suffering from, broke on all four of her break opportunities on the day.
“I just feel sorry for Peng, because she played really well out there,” Wozniacki said. “It was really hot on court. It’s just unfortunate that she felt ill and I hope she’s okay.”
During the controversial medical timeout, CBS commentators John McEnroe and Mary Carillo expressed outrage that Peng was not penalized for delaying play with her injury, but tennis has had a long history of being lenient on injured players, whether during a game or during a changeover. This incident, so graphically compelling because of the way Peng struggled on court, and the length of the delay that Wozniacki was forced to endure, will surely spark more debate.
Peng, 28, was playing in her first career Grand Slam final. Though not available for comment, Brewer stated that she was resting and feeling better in the tournament’s medical facility an hour after the match.