Peng Shuai pulls out of Hong Kong Tennis Open

Peng Shuai of China reacts after being placed in a wheelchair after dropping to the court in pain during the semifinal match against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark at the 2014 US Open tennis tournament in New York, Sept 5, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

HONG KONG - Chinese player Peng Shuai has pulled out of the upcoming Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open due to a heat stroke.

The Chinese number three was taken from court at the US Open?semifinals to hospital after she was affected by the hot temperatures at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on Friday.

Peng, who took a medical timeout, was trailing Caroline Wozniacki 7-6 (7-1), 4-3 before retiring and conceding the semifinal.

World number eight Eugenie Bouchard also withdrawn from the tournament citing fatigue.

The Canadian pin-up who was the highest-ranked player entered for the inaugural US$250,000 WTA International event, lost in the fourth round at the US Open after complaining of dizziness. She also took an injury timeout during the match.

"I am really disappointed not to be able to play the Prudential Hong Kong Open this year," Bouchard informed organisers. "I had been very much looking forward to it but unfortunately my medical team has advised me that I need to take the next two weeks off from competition to rest and recover after a very long season."

Germany's Sabine Lisicki will take up one of the slots left open by the last-minute withdrawals of Bouchard and Peng.

Organized by the Hong Kong Tennis Association and Hong Kong Tennis Open Limited, the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open will start from Sept 8 and conclude on Sept 14.