GI Illness forces Elena Rybakina to retire in Dubai, as lucky loser Antonia Ruzic advances

An unwell Elena Rybakina retired early in the third set at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Wednesday, sending lucky loser Antonia Ruzic through to her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal.

The reigning Australian Open champion called for the trainer after Ruzic broke her serve to open the third set. Following a consultation, where Rybakina said she was experiencing nausea, the top seed opted not to continue further. A GI illness was listed as the official reason for Rybakina abandoning the third-round clash.

Ruzic previously came through deciding sets against Emma Raducanu and Anastasia Zakharova after falling in the opening round of qualifying to Rebecca Sramkova. The 23-year-oled was one of seven lucky losers to ultimately replace existing main-draw competitors as the tournament endured 10 withdrawals, including the WTA's top-two ranked players in Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.

Defending champion Mirra Andreeva set a last-eight clash with second-seeded Amanda Anisimova. Andreeva defeated Jaqueline Cristian, 7-5, 6-3, following Anisimova’s 6-1, 6-3 victory over Janice Tjen. The American claimed their lone meeting in the third round of the 2025 Miami Open.

Jessica Pegula halted Iva Jovic, 6-4, 6-2, to notch her 10th win in 12 contests this season. Last year's runner-up Clara Tauson, a 6-4, 6-2 winner against Magda Linette, awaits the No. 4 seed.