Ekaterina Alexandrova: Tennis Star Collapses on Court at Memphis Classic

Top-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova collapsed during her first-round match at the Memphis Tennis Classic amid 34°C heat

The world No. 19 was trailing 16-year-old compatriot Kristina Liutova in a match that stretched beyond three hours

Alexandrova received a time violation before falling to the ground and requiring immediate medical attention

World No. 19 Ekaterina Alexandrova was forced to retire from her first-round match at the Memphis Tennis Classic after collapsing on court during the third set, with temperatures at the venue reaching 34 degrees Celsius.

The Russian, who entered the tournament as the top seed, was facing 16-year-old compatriot Kristina Liutova when the dramatic scenes unfolded.

Alexandrova had dropped the opening set on a tiebreak before winning the second to force a decider, but the gruelling three-hour contest took a severe toll on the 31-year-old.

Alexandrova's Collapse on Court

With Liutova leading 7-6 (7-2), 4-6, 5-4, the match was briefly halted as Alexandrova visibly struggled. She was issued a time violation for taking too long between points during her service game, and then, mid-rally, fell to the ground and required immediate medical assistance.

Medical staff attended to her on court for an extended period. Although Alexandrova was eventually able to stand, she could not continue and was compelled to forfeit the match.

The retirement handed Liutova a first-round victory in what was her debut appearance on the WTA Tour. The teenage player was left in tears on court following the distressing turn of events.

In other results, Venus Williams suffered a straight-sets defeat in the first round of the Mubadala DC Open in Washington DC. The 46-year-old, whose most recent singles victory at the event came last year, was beaten 6-3, 6-3 by Austria's Anastasia Potapova.

Laura Woods collapses on air

Last year, we also highlighted facts about Laura Woods, the leading sports presenter who collapsed on live TV before England's Lionesses game against Ghana.

Following the alarming incident, her husband reassured fans that she is recovering from a virus, crediting her colleagues for their swift help during the frightening moment.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

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