WATCH: Madison Keys breaks down in tears after injury forces retirement in Wimbledon 4R despite chance to serve for match

Madison Keys' 2024 Wimbledon campaign came to an unexpected end on Sunday, as the American was forced to withdraw midway through her fourth round clash against World No. 7 Jasmine Paolini. Keys was 5*-4 up in the final set and had the chance to serve for the match, but could not continue playing due to the injury.

The former US Open runner-up lost the opening set on Court No. 1, falling behind 3-6. However, she soon mounted a terrific comeback, taking the second set in a tiebreaker 7-6(6). In the third set, Keys was 5*-2 up at one point before she pulled her a muscle in her left leg, allowing the Italian to get one break back.

At 5*-4, the 29-year-old opted for a medical timeout, which ran for more 10 minutes. When she took the court again, it was obvious the American could not move as well as she would need to. Visibly struggling and in pain, Keys lost her serve to restore parity at 5-5.

At this point, the World No. 12 broke down in tears, trying to continue playing at the same time. At 15-15, however, she decided she had had enough, and quickly communicated to the chair umpire that she was retiring from the contest.

Keys immediately left the court following a brief hug with Paolini, still emotionally shaken after losing the chance to reach the quarterfinals at SW19 for only the third time in her career.

Jasmine Paolini reaches maiden Wimbledon quarterfinal after Madison Keys win

Day Seven: The Championships - Wimbledon 2024

With her win over Madison Keys, Jasmine Paolini has now reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon for the first time in her career. The Italian had never won a main draw match at the Grass Major before, and had gone out in the first round the last three years on the trot.

Up next, she is set to face another American -- either Coco Gauff or Emma Navarro. Should she reach the semifinals, she is likely to come up against either Emma Raducanu (fourth round vs Lulu Sun) or Paula Badosa (fourth round vs Donna Vekic).

Meanwhile, with the exit of World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and two-time defending runner-up Ons Jabeur, former champion Elena Rybakina has emerged as the clear favorite to reach the final from the top half of the draw.

This is only the second time Jasmine Paolini has reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, with the previous instance coming just earlier this year at the French Open. She went on to reach the final, but lost to Swiatek in the summit clash.