Martina Navratilova's maiden trip to India was cut short following an injury to her doubles partner, Anna-Lena Groenenfeld of Germany [Images], during the match against Akgul Amanmuradova and Tatiana Panova on Thursday.

The score was 3-2 in Navratilova and Groenefeld's favour when the German pulled out.

Groenefeld, seeded second in the singles draw, had won her quarter-final against Tian Tian Sun of China 7-6(5), 6-3 earlier in the day.

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On Wednesday, the top seeds had coasted to a 6-2, 6-1 victory over the Japanese pair of Shiho Hisamatsu and Remi Tezuka.

WTA physiotherapist Philippa Stewart later informed that Groenefeld was forced to retire because of a right knee strain.

However, she will play the singles semi-final against Alyona Bndarenko on Friday.

"It is really disappointing to not finish a tournament," said Navratilova.

"She will, hopefully, be okay by tomorrow. Anna is young and probably decided not to aggravate the injury. It is the first time in a doubles match that I have withdrawn. I forfeited thrice in the singles, but of the 1,500 odd doubles matches that I have played it is the first time that my partner or me got injured.

"Even today it just happened during the first point and I told her it is best to withdraw. It was one of those freak injuries," she added.

Navratilova, who "enjoyed playing in front of passionate crowds", said she is not sure whether she will return to Hyderabad for the next edition of the tournament.

"I don't make a promise either way. I don't know if I am coming or whether I will be playing still," the 48-year-old said.

Waiting patiently in the wings for Sania Mirza's [Images] match to end, Navratilova was critical about the crowd's behaviour.

She said that though the crowd had been very appreciative, it probably was unfair on Israel's Tzipora Obziler to have them on the wrong side.

"I would have liked the people to be a lot more respectful to the opponent. I don't want to take anything away from Sania in this match, but I just think the crowd was unfair. The cheering is okay as long as it does not become an unpleasant experience for the other girls. And today, I thought, it was."

Results: Maria Kirilenko beat Na Li 6-4, 6-3; Anna-Lena Groenefeld beat Tian Tian Sun 7-6 (5), 6-3; Alyona Bondarenko beat Marie-Eve Pelletier 7-6(5), 6-4, Sania Mirza beat Tzipora Obziler 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5).

Doubles: Ting Li/ Tian Tian Sun beat Anastasia Rodionova 6-4, 6-3; Maria Kirlenko/ Tamarine Tanasugarn beat Mara Santangelo/ Andrea Vanc 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

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