Li Na has been gifted a spot in the fourth round of the Australian Open after Anabel Medina Garrigues withdrew from the match through injury.
The Chinese pro began the third-round contest positively by securing the first break of serve to take the advantage and go three games to love up.
By this point Na's Spanish opponent was moving around the court uncomfortably after she rolled her ankle during the third game.
Not long after, the 26-year-old, who was in streams of tears, was forced to retire from the match in order to seek treatment on her injury.
A repeat of last year's final will take place in round four as Na faces Kim Clijsters.