Kvitova withdraws from St. Petersburg with illness

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) Petra Kvitova withdrew from the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy on Friday because of illness.

The third-seeded Kvitova had been due to play Ekaterina Alexandrova in the quarterfinals. Kvitova said the unspecified illness had bothered her during Thursday's three-set win over Alison van Uytvanck.

''I wasn't feeling well during my match yesterday and hoped I would feel better today, but unfortunately, that's not the case,'' Kvitova said.

With the walkover win, Alexandrova will play either second-seeded Kiki Bertens or qualifier Anastasia Potapova in the semifinals.

Also Friday, Elena Rybakina beat Oceane Dodin 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-2. Rybakina will next face either Belinda Bencic or Maria Sakkari.

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