Serena Williams withdraws from Miami Open, Naomi Osaka eliminated, Petra Kvitova imposes



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Serena Williams won her first Miami Open in 2002

Serena Williams, eight-time world champion, has retired from the Miami Open because of a knee injury.

American Williams qualified for the third round on Friday with a victory over Sweden's Rebecca Peterson, her seventh game only in 2019.

The Grand Slam winner, 23 times, should face Wang Qiang in the last 32 meetings, but the 27-year-old Chinese is now exempt.

World number one Naomi Osaka Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei was beaten in three sets by a shock in the third inning.

Williams said that she was "disappointed to withdraw from the Miami Open because of a left knee injury".

The 37-year-old woman has now retired from two consecutive WTA tournaments, following her retirement from last week's Indian Wells tournament, suffering from a viral illness.

The last time Williams won the title in Miami in 2015, her last Grand Slam victory was won at the 2017 Australian Open, placing her behind Margaret Court's record with 24 singles titles.

"I hope to be back next year to participate in this unique tournament in front of incredible fans here in Miami," she said.

The Japanese Osaka, 21, who has won the last two Grand Slam tournaments – the US Open 2018 and the Australian Open in January – lost 4-6 7-6 (9-7) between 6 and 33, the world number 27 Hsieh on Saturday.

"It was a very emotional victory for me," said Hsieh, who will now face Caroline Wozniacki or Monica Niculescu in the fourth round.

"Whenever you beat one of the best players, it's amazing."

Number two worldwide Petra Kvitova was tested by Croatian Donna Vekic but won 6-4 3-6 6-4 to reach the fourth round.

The two-time Wimbledon champion and third seed had to fight for over two hours against Vekic.

She will now meet Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia in the fourth round. Garcia beat the 15th seed, Julia Gorges of Germany, 6-0 7-5.

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