Mauresmo out in 25 minutes with leg injury

Mauresmo out in 25 minutes with leg injuryBrisbane, Australia - Amelie Mauresmo fell victim to a leg injury after less than half an hour on court Friday to hand over a 4-0 victory which put French compatriot Marion Bartoli into the final of the Brisbane International.

The 2007 Wimbledon finalist will face off for the trophy against second seed Victoria Azarenka, who defeated Italy's Sara Errani 6-3, 6-1.

Mauresmo, a former Wimbledon and Australian Open champion, was fresh off an upset win the day before against top seed Ana Ivanovic.

But the French veteran had to call for the trainer after just 25 minutes on court against Bartoli before quitting the contest.

"It was something that I have had before - six months ago," she said. "This was the most reasonable and sensible decision to make sure that I'm am good for Melbourne (starting a week from Monday)."

Bartoli said she noticed that her opponent was favouring her leg in the third game of their abbreviated contest.

"I saw she stopped her movement. I tried to keep my focus. But it was a heartbreaker, I knew it was quite bad."

"Still, I'm happy to be in the final."

Mauresmo got treatment on court to her left thigh and lower back. "I wanted to keep going, but I couldn't push off the serve.

"It's frustrating, you don't want to end it like this. But I want to be 100 per cent for Melbourne. I hope that nine days is enough time for it to get better."

Second seed Azarenka beat Bartoli in their only previous match at the Open two years ago. "I just want to do better than the last time and win my first title."

In the men's quarter-finals, Radek Stepanek reached the final four with a defeat of Swede Robin Soderling 2-6, 6-4, 6-3,

Stepanek will face the winner from 2007 Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and is fellow Frenchman Richard Gasquet. (dpa)

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