Illness forces Serena Williams to retire, Simona Halep stays on course

Serena Williams’ BNP Paribas Open campaign came to an abrupt end in the third round against Garbine Muguruza as she was forced to retire due to a viral illness.
Williams made a great start to the match as she won the opening three games, but then lost the next seven as two-time Grand Slam winner Muguruza took a commanding 6-3, 1-0 lead.
However, the 23-time Grand Slam winner threw in the towel shortly after as she was not feeling well.
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
“I think she started playing well, right away with her serve, with her shots, being very dominating,” Muguruza said after the match.
“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.”
The Spaniard will face Kiki Bertens next after the seventh seed beat British No 1 Johanna Konta 7-6 (12-10), 6-4.
.@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
Second seed Simona Halep was made to work for her win, but ultimately came out on top against Ukrainian qualifier Kateryna Kozlova with a 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 victory.
“It was really difficult against her because I never played against her – it was a bit difficult to get a rhythm,” the Romanian said.
“When I was leading the match, she played without fear, I felt like she was playing much better in those game.”
Sixth seed Elina Svitolina had a more straightforward afternoon as she secured a 7-5, 6-4 win over Daria Gavrilova, but there was some good news for Australians as Ashleigh Barty beat Jennifer Brady 6-3, 6-2.
More from Tennis365:
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic and Emma Raducanu facing huge rankings drop after Wimbledon decision
Djokovic is almost certain to lose his No.1 ranking.
-
Wimbledon
Comment – Why the removal Wimbledon’s ranking points could backfire on the ATP and WTA
Wimbledon has been stripped of its ATP ranking points following the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon didn’t want to ‘risk safety of players’ or ‘success being used as propaganda by Russian regime’
Wimbledon has hit back at the ATP and WTA with a statement of their own.
-
Wimbledon
WTA statement as women’s body also strips Wimbledon of ranking points over Russian player ban
WTA also has harsh words for Wimbledon after stripping grass-court major of ranking points.
-
ATP Tour
ATP statement: Wimbledon slammed for ‘undermining integrity of the ATP Ranking system’
ATP unimpressed by Wimbledon.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon thrown into chaos as ATP strips Slam of ranking points over Russian and Belarusian player ban
Big, big news as players won’t earn points for competing at Wimbledon.
-
French Open
Iga Swiatek made French Open favourite by former British No 1 Tim Henman
Tim Henman has been impressed by the progress in Iga Swiatek’s game.
-
French Open
Naomi Osaka admits trepidation ahead of return to Roland Garros
Naomi Osaka took questions at Roland Garros for the first time since her 2021 walkout.
-
French Open
Iga Swiatek prepared to handle the heat of being French Open favourite
The world number one has won five successive tournaments and 28 straight matches.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal praying the pain stays away in bid to win 14th French Open
The 35-year-old was troubled by the issue in Rome last week.