California: Garbine Muguruza advanced to the fourth round of Paribas Open as her opponent Serena Williams retired from their third-round match while trailing 6-3, 1-0 due to a viral illness on Sunday (local time).
Two-time Indian Wells champion Williams leads 3-0 before Muguruza won straight games at a stretch to take the first set, as the American kept on struggling with her viral illness. Following one game in the second set, Williams was unable to continue, putting Muguruza into the fourth round at Paribas Open for the fourth time in the Spaniard’s career.
“I think she started playing well, right away with her serve, with her shots, being very dominating, I had to adapt a little bit my position in the court, the way I was hitting, and it took me a few games to kind of do it. Once I did it, I felt much more comfortable to be able to release my tennis,” Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) quoted Muguruza as saying.
Muguruza and Williams had met five times previously — all at Grand Slam events, including the 2015 Wimbledon final, won by Williams, and the 2016 French Open final, won by Muguruza.
“I think I played well one set. I am going to take the positive side of that. Now I have more chances to face top opponents. That’s what I am looking for,” WTA quoted Muguruza as saying.
Muguruza will now play against number seven seed Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands.