Aussie Open dream over for Petkovic

Andrea Petkovic’s Australian Open dreams were dashed this week after scans revealed the German had suffered a stress fracture to her lower-back, ruling her out of action for up to eight weeks. Petkovic would have gone into the year’s opening Grand Slam as the 10th seed – a position that will now be filled by former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.

Petkovic showed clear signs of discomfort during her second round defeat to Agnieszka Radwanska at the Sydney International, receiving on-court medical treatment towards the end of her 7-5 6-4 defeat. Resulting scans have now revealed some significant damage, and the 24-year old has been forced to accept her fate and admit her 2012 Australian Open dream is over. Those looking at the Australian open women’s singles betting  can remove her from the equation.

“I’m sorry to announce that I had to withdraw from the Australian Open with a lower back stress fracture,” she said.

“I’m positive this is going to be fine; I just need to take the time off to get better,” she said. “I’m really disappointed because I love Australia.”

“The only thing I can do right now is rest – not walking or sitting a lot – just lying down and hoping that the bone will heal as fast as possible.”

Petkovic established herself among the world’s best with an impressive 2011; a year in which the German recorded her best ever performances at all four Grand Slams – reaching the quarter-finals at the Australian, French and US Opens – as well as picking up her second WTA title, beating Marion Bartoli to win the Internationaux de Strasbourg. People who Bet on Tennis  will know she is something of a rising star.

Big things had been expected from Petkovic in 2012, however, she will need to make sure she doesn’t rush back from an injury that will need to be fully healed if she is to fully return to 100% fitness and not suffer future problems later in her career.