Jordan Thompson's Australian Open build-up has been clouded after he was forced to retire in his Brisbane International quarter-final with injury.
Set to be seeded for the first time at his home grand slam, the world No.26 received treatment to his right calf before pulling the pin, down 6-1 2-1 citing foot pain, to defending champion Grigor Dimitrov on Friday.
The 30-year-old then withdrew from next week's Adelaide International.
Thompson enjoyed the best year of his career in 2024 and began in similar fashion this week, with fighting victories against Matteo Berrettini and Alex Michelsen to again reach the final eight in Brisbane.
But, in superb form, world No.10 Dimitrov was offering no favours as he controlled the points and left Thompson wincing as he scrambled side-to-side.
When Thompson walked to the net it marked the second straight year the rejuvenated Bulgarian had sent him packing from the tournament.
The Australian Open begins on January 12, Thompson's injury scare an unwanted headache as he readies for his first major with the protection of a seeding.
A wincing Thompson received treatment between sets and then again before what was to be the final game of the match, the trainer rubbing his lower leg but never taking off the player's shoe.
"It's very unfortunate for him, I hope he's ready for the Aussie Open," Dimitrov said.
"From the beginning I felt like I was in control ... all those things, they're giving me a lot of confidence."
Dimitrov will play Jiri Lehecka in one semi-final, while Reilly Opelka shocked Novak Djokovic 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 in Friday's late match.
Giant Opelka, on the comeback from long-term injuries, will face France's big-serving rising star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who is yet to drop a service game on his way to the semis after beating Czech Jakub Mensik 7-5 7-6 (7-5).
Djokovic had no answer for Opelka's bombing serve and when the American found his range from both wings on the baseline it was curtains for the top seed.
