Muguruza advances at Indian Wells, as Serena retires

The highly-anticipated Indian Wells showdown between Garbine Muguruza and Serena Williams has ended in a mid-match retirement.

It was the first meeting between the two former world No.1s since Muguruza’s victory in the French Open 2016 final.

After losing the opening three games of the match, Muguruza reeled off seven consecutive games. A visibly unwell Serena was unable to continue with Muguruza leading 6-3 1-0, retiring with a viral illness.

“By the score, it might have looked like I started well, but I was not feeling at all well physically,” Williams said in a statement distributed by tournament officials.

“Before the match, I did not feel great and then it just got worse with every second; extreme dizziness and extreme fatigue.”

What a shame – Serena Williams is forced to retire from the match with @GarbiMuguruza leading 6-3, 1-0.#BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/SrbaekZg6C

— WTA (@WTA) March 10, 2019

It is only the third time in the past decade that Serena has retired mid-match.

Muguruza, who had not defeated a top 10-ranked opponent since February 2018, now plays No.7 seed Kiki Bertens in the fourth round.

Bertens advanced with a hard-fought 7-6(10) 6-4 win over Brit Johanna Konta.

.@kikibertens outlasts Konta, 7-6(10), 6-4!

Advances to first career @BNPPARIBASOPEN round of 16! pic.twitter.com/J2hVMepi7Y

— WTA (@WTA) March 10, 2019

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Second seed Simona Halep is also into the round of 16, defeating Ukrainian qualifier Kateryna Kozlova 7-6(3) 7-5.

“It was difficult for me to close out those sets,” Halep said. “When I was leading the match, she played without fear.”

Halep’s next opponent is big-hitting Czech teen Marketa Vondrousova, who eliminated No.22 seed Jelena Ostapenko 4-6 6-3 6-4.

Elina Svitolina survived a spirited challenge from Australia’s Daria Gavrilova, with the No.6-seed winning 7-5 6-4, while Canadian Bianca Andreescu continued her stellar form to post a 6-1 6-2 victory over Swiss qualifier Stefanie Voegele.