Tennis News : Gauff reaches Rome semi-finals after Barty retires while holding a one-set lead

World number one Ashleigh Barty withdrew from the Italian Open on Friday, retiring in her quarter-final against Cori Gauff while a set up and leading 2-1 on serve in the second set. Barty wore heavy strapping around her upper-left thigh from the start and added a compression sleeve to her right arm during the opening set. The Australian went on to win the opener 6-4 after converting a fifth set point for a break in a marathon tenth game. But after holding serve to make it 2-1 in the second set, Barty received medial treatment on the side of the court before deciding to retire. Gauff, who currently sits 35th in the world rankings, will face either Elina Svitolina or Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals.