Konta withdraws from Eastbourne with back injury

[June 30, 2017]    (Reuters) - British fifth seed Johanna Konta has pulled out of her Aegon International semi-final against Karolina Pliskova in Eastbourne after suffering a thoracic spine injury, British Tennis confirmed on Friday.

Great Britain's Johanna Konta goes down injured during the quarter finals match against Germany's Angelique Kerber Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Konta is the main home hope in the women's draw at Wimbledon next week but the 26-year-old slipped and fell heavily on her back during her 6-3 6-4 quarter-final victory over world number one Angelique Kerber on Thursday.

The walkover allows third seed Pliskova to advance to the final, where she will meet the winner of the other semi-final between Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki and Briton Heather Watson.

Konta also overcame French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in a three-set tussle earlier on Thursday after two days of rain delays at the south coast grass-court event had stacked up the schedule.

The Australia-born Briton is aiming to become the first home player to win the ladies singles title at Wimbledon since Virginia Wade in 1977.

(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru)

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