US Open star retires in tears 24 minutes into match as she weeps into towel

Nuria Parrizas-Diaz's US Open campaign came to a heartbreaking end when she took a tumble just four games into her first-round match at the US Open and picked up a horror injury. The Spaniard was level at 2-2 with Polina Kudermetova and had two break points when she rolled her ankle and fell to the ground on Court 7.

Parrizas-Diaz grabbed her ankle in pain and then started crying, burying her head in a towel as court staff rushed to her aide. There was a lengthy delay as she received medical attention before attempting to play on. But she realised it was impossible to continue, and retired just 24 minutes into the match.

Parrizas-Diaz was seeking her first-ever match win in Flushing Meadows as she took on the younger Kudermetova sister. It was neck and neck early on, but the world No. 133 had two chances to break when she landed awkwardly on her ankle and went down.

The 34-year-old burst into tears as ball kids came over with umbrellas to cover her while waiting for the physio to take to the court. Former world No. 6 Sara Sorribes Tormo, who is now the captain of Spain's Billie Jean King Cup team, watched on courtside looking concerned.

Parrizas-Diaz eventually made it back to her bench where she had a long discussion with the trainers before receiving a medical time out.

Her ankle was strapped up and she attempted to walk on it before deciding to play on. But the match didn't last much longer.

Kudermetova saved both break points as Parrizas-Diaz struggled to move around the court. At deuce, the Spanish star walked to the net, and the umpire announced her retirement.

Her retirement sent Kudermetova through to the second round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career. The world No. 67 will now face either Rebeka Masarova, or world No. 1 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

It would be a rematch of the Brisbane International final back in January. Kudermetova stormed into the championship match as a qualifier and took the first set before Sabalenka came back to win 4-6 6-3 6-2.

The 22-year-old became the first winner of the US Open thanks to Parrizas-Diaz's retirement. She was soon joined by British No. 1 Emma Raducanu, who dispatched qualifier Ena Shibahara 6-1 6-2 in just over an hour before applauding her opponent off the court.

Parrizas-Diaz recently snapped a five-match losing streak, dating back to Wimbledon qualifying. She won her first-round qualifying match in Cleveland last week, beating Anna Danilina before losing to Wang Yafan.

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