Sunday, 21 January 2018:

A calf injury has forced Anastasia Rodionova to withdraw midway through her third-round women's doubles clash at the Australian Open.

The Australian and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok were trailing 4-1 in the first set against 10th-seeded Romanian pairing Irina-Camelia Begu and Monica Niculescu on Sunday when Rodionova clutched at her left leg.

Looking clearly distressed, the 35-year-old Rodionova informed chair umpire Zhang Juan that she would be unable to continue the match.

"It's tough - it's a grand slam and you always want to play good," said Begu.

"I feel sorry for (Rodionova) and I hope she recovers soon."

Rodionova also pulled out of the mixed doubles competition where she had been scheduled to partner Austrian Oliver Marach.

AAP