Djokovic and Wawrinka reach Rome final after retirements
Novak Djokovic looking to win his first Masters series title on clay
Saturday, 10, May 2008 07:37
World number three Novak Djokovic and the unseeded Stanislas Wawrinka will compete for the Rome Masters title after both their opponents retired hurt.
Djokovic looked in terrific form and was leading Radek Stepanek 6-0, 1-0 before the Czech Republic star was forced to retire after complaining of feeling dizzy and weak.
Stepanek, who beat Roger Federer in the previous round, didn't show any signs of feeling unwell throughout the entire first set. But he received treatment at the end of the set and was only able to play one game in the second set.
"I started feeling bad for the first time after practice this morning and then I ate lunch and was feeling better," he said. "Once the match started, however, I started feeling worse and worse. I was dizzy and weak and couldn't play."
Andy Roddick must be a major doubt for next week's Hamburg Masters and the French Open later this month after he pulled out his semi-final against Wawrinka after only just three games.
The American star was trailing 3-0 in the first set when he had to stop due to a back problem.
"I felt a little something last night in my back when I was getting treatment. Then, one wrong movement and I had a complete spasm," said Roddick. "I warmed up OK, but then just one movement triggered it. I can feel it even when I take a deep breath now
"I can't really move my left arm right now. You can't really play around that," added the 25-year-old, who has had back problems in the past.