Upsets continue at Miami Open as Simona Halep crashes out

Simona Halep is the latest big-name player to suffer an early exit at the Miami Open as the world No 1 lost against Agnieszka Radwanska.

Former champion Radwanska came from a set down to beat the Romanian 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 48 minutes.

Halep’s defeat came hot on the heels of that of world No 2 Caroline Wozniacki, who lost on Friday against Monica Puig.

Radwanska, meanwhile, has not claimed back-to-back wins since January, but she was in good form against Halep.

“I expected a tough match from Simona, so I’m just glad I could win a match like this,” the Pole said. “There were pretty tricky conditions and some weird shots, but I’m very, very happy with the way I played, especially at the end. And to beat the No.1 in the world, obviously.”

Next up for Radwanska is a clash against former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka after the Belarusian beat Anastasija Sevastova.

Two-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber is safely through after she came through a 6-4, 6-4 win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

“I know what to expect from her,” the German said after her win. “I played against her three times last year, and I lost all three times. So now I was really trying to go for it and I was really motivated to play every single point, and I changed up a little bit my game from the last time I played her.

“I was just a little bit more aggressive, moving good and serving good. It was a tricky match, but in the end I’m through it in two sets. It’s a good feeling to be in the next round.”

Wang Yafan awaits in the next round after the Chinese player beat Alison Riske 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).

US Open champion Sloane Stephens also advanced as she was leading 6-7 (1-7), 6,-3, 4-0 when her opponent Monica Niculescu retired.