Sobbing Elina Svitolina drops out of Australian Open due to back injury

Elina Svitolina was in tears after being forced to retire. Pic: Alessandra Tarantino/AP

A tearful Elina Svitolina was forced to retire with a back injury only three games into her fourth-round clash with Linda Noskova at the Australian Open.

The former world number three, who has made a very impressive return following the birth of daughter Skai last year, appeared the favourite to make the final from a wide open top half of the draw.