Ricky Walden has been forced to withdraw from the German Masters on medical grounds.
The world number 38 was hospitalised just hours before his last 16 clash with Barry Hawkins.
GettyWalden has been hospitalised and forced to withdraw from the German Masters[/caption]
Details of Walden’s medical issue have yet to be revealed after he forfeited Thursday’s match against Hawkins.
In a statement, the World Snooker Tour said: “Ricky Walden has withdrawn from the ongoing Machineseeker German Masters on medical grounds.”
Hawkins was handed a 5-0 walkover victory as a result of the withdrawal.
The Hawk will now take on Wu Yize for a place in the last four in Berlin.
Walden had been set to play for the chance to reach his first ranking quarter-final for almost two years.
He not achieved the feat since a run to the last eight of the 2023 Northern Ireland Open.
Having qualified for the main draw, the 42-year-old beat Ryan Day and Dylan Emery to set up a match against Hawkins.
Walden’s run to the last 16 also saw him scoop £9,000 in prize money this week.
A total prize fund of £550,400 is on offer in the German capital, including £100,000 for the winner and £5,000 for the highest break.
The withdrawal comes three days after another player pulled out of the German Masters.
GettyWalden pulled out of his last 16 clash with Hawkins on Thursday[/caption]
Hossein Vafaei withdrew from the event ahead of his last 64 meeting with Yuan Sijun on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, defending champion Judd Trump remains in the draw.
The world number one faces Neil Robertson in the last 16 on Thursday after whitewashing Joe O’Connor on Wednesday.