Maria Sharapova reached the final of the Bausch & Lomb Championship in Amelia Island without having to hit a ball.
Top seed to face Slovakian Cibulkova in first ever final on clay
Maria Sharapova is through to the final of the Bausch & Lomb Championship after semi-final opponent Lindsay Davenport withdrew due to illness.
The American felt unwell unwell after her victory over eighth seed Agnes Szavay 6-4 7-6 on Friday.
"I am so very disappointed to not be able to take to the court today," said the 16th seed.
"Right after my quarter-final victory, I started feeling sick while receiving treatment from our Tour's primary health care provider.
Aches and pains
"Unfortunately, I was running a fever, had aches and pains and a headache. Those symptoms have worsened today.
"In the 16 years I have played on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, I do not believe I have ever had to pull out for sickness."
The walkover win puts Sharapova, the top seed in the tournament, in her first ever first ever final on clay.
The Russian will meet Dominika Cibulkova after she beat Alize Cornet 6-2 2-6 6-4 in a battle between two unseeded players.
The Slovakian advanced to her first ever WTA Tour final after completing victory in two hours and 15 minutes.
"I feel great, just great," Cibulkova said afterwards. "I've beaten some great players here in this tournament and now I'm in my first finals."
