Aryna Sabalenka was left disappointed as her US Open quarter-final opponent Marketa Vondrousova was forced to withdraw from the event.Reigning champion Sabalenka was handed a walkover victory as Vondrousova pulled out of their clash two hours before it was due to take place on Tuesday. Vondrousova suffered more injury heartbreak in New YorkGettyFootage later showed ex-Wimbledon champion Vondrousova bending over in pain before leaving the practice court in tears. Reacting on social media, Sabalenka wrote: “So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through.“She has been playing amazing tennis and I know how badly this must hurt for her. Take care of yourself and I hope you can recover quickly. Love Aryna.”World no.1 Sabalenka will now face no.4 seed Jessica Pegula in a rematch of the 2024 final. Vondrousova entered the final grand slam of the year unseeded following a torrid time with injuries. However, she impressed in New York with unexpected victories over Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina to set up a clash with Sabalenka.Vondrousova later released a statement, confirming she had suffered the recurrence of a knee injury.“I tried my best to take the court today but during the warm-up I felt again my knee and after consultation with the tournament doctor decided not to risk aggravating the injury,” Vondrousova said.“I appreciate all the support this tournament and apologize to the fans who were looking forward to the match.“I had an amazing time here in NY and can’t wait to be back next year.”View Tweet: https://t.co/SRDh3ili7oVondrousova’s heartbreaking injury recordThe Czech star has seen a promising career blighted by injuries in recent years. After reaching the French Open final as a teenager in 2019, she was forced to undergo wrist surgery a few months later. Nevertheless, she won silver at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and triumphed at Wimbledon in 2023, despite two more wrist surgeries in between. Vondrousova is still yet to experience any prolonged period of full health, missing the Paris Olympics and the US Open in 2024 to undergo shoulder surgery. She was also sidelined for three months earlier this year due to another shoulder injury. The 26-year-old had been reminding tennis fans what she can do at Flushing Meadows with upset wins over two top-ten players in Paolini and Rybakina, before injury struck once again. Reacting to the news, ex-British tennis star Tim Henman said: “Looked like she was very distressed and obviously distraught, and then we’ve just heard that she’s obviously had to pull out, which is hugely disappointing for her, she was playing some great tennis.”