Australian Talia Gibson advances to WTA Singapore Open final after Tatiana Prozorova withdraws over concussion test dispute

Australian Talia Gibson has progressed to her first singles final on the main WTA tour at the expense of Tatiana Prozorova, who says she was "pressured" into withdrawing from their semifinal after failing part of a concussion test.

Gibson reached the final of the Singapore Open, where she will face a former grand slam finalist, as this year's French Open runner-up Maya Chwalinska and 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez face off in their final-four clash.

But 22-year-old Gibson was not required to step on court for her semi after receiving a walkover past Prozorova, who was hit by a smash during a doubles match.

The Russian stayed on the ground for some time before receiving a medical timeout and ultimately retiring from the match with partner Sofya Lansere, handing Australian Ellen Perez and Miyu Kato the victory.

But it later emerged, after Gibson's upset win over seventh seed Maria Sakkari in the quarterfinals, that Prozorova would not be able to line up in the final four.

The world number 180, who stunned popular Filipino third seed Alex Eala in the second round, said her "dream week came to an end" and she was clearly upset with the process.

On Instagram, Prozorova wrote that Kato's smash had mostly hit her shoulder and only "grazed" her cheek.

As she lay on the court, the umpire jumped from their chair and appeared to call for the physio, who Prozorova said "insisted" she leave the court for a medical timeout.

"Unfortunately, I didn't know I could refuse," she wrote.

"The test wasn't easy. Given that I'd spent over three hours on court each of the last three days, I was fatigued and I struggled with some of the exercises — like standing on one leg with my eyes closed.

"To be honest, even when I'm fresh and well-rested, I find that difficult anyway. I explained this to the physio, too."

Prozorova said that one-legged test was the only aspect of the assessment she did not ace, but it was enough to rule her out.

"The physio also pressured me, implying I couldn't make my own decisions and needed at least six days (!!!) rest from tennis — which sounds crazy considering I was perfectly fine," she wrote.

Prozorova said she went through her usual recovery routine and "felt great" but the wheels were already in motion on the WTA's protocols.

"My team and I had a long discussion with the organisers; throughout the process, the physio pressured everyone present and even claimed I wasn't capable of taking responsibility for my own life," she wrote.

She called on the WTA to "reconsider" the rules because the current system "renders players absolutely helpless".

If forced to sit out for six days, the 22-year-old will miss the chance to qualify for the China Open in Beijing, which starts on September 30.

"It is completely absurd and an overreach of authority by the WTA staff member," she wrote.

The WTA has been contacted for comment.