World No. 1 Serena Wins, Advances to Play Former No. 2 Kuznetsova at Miami Open

Serena Williams advanced among one Top 10 casualty on Saturday at the Miami Open.
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The younger Williams sister in third-round action defeated Kazakhstan’s Zarina Diyas 7-5, 6-3.

It wasn’t pretty for the world No. 1, who hit 27 winners to 37 unforced errors.

“She started with a new strategy, but I eventually figured it out,” Williams said. “She played well. I saw she’s ranked 97 in the world and I thought, ‘She’s doing great.’ She has such a bright future.”

Williams will next meet former world No. 2 and two-time Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova, who defeated France’s Caroline Garcia 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(6).

Other Top 10 winners were No. 3 Aggie Radwanska punching the clock against American Madison Brengle 6-3, 6-2, and No. 5 Simona Halep likewise resisting the urge to surf the internet on her phone during change-overs while beating German Julia “Gorgeous” Goerges 6-4, 6-1.

“Today was really hot,” Radawanska said. “And yes, we both kind of have to get used to it. Today was a really tough day, and I knew that since this morning. You just try everything to stay cool, especially during the changeovers.”

Seeded upsets were No. 30 Ekaterina Makarova defeating the sinking No. 8 Petra Kvitova 6-4, 6-4, and No. 19 Timea Bacsinszky topping No. 16 Ana Ivanovic 7-5, 6-4.

“Today was actually really tough to play, especially against Petra and in these conditions,” Makarova said. “She started unbelievable — a lot of winners. I just kept going and going, wanting to hit longer points and just being on the court and enjoying it.”

Makarova will next meet the winner between the Saturday late-night match of Elina Svitolina and Caroline Wozniacki.

Bacsinszky will next have her hands full against Radwanska. Halep will next meet Brit Heather Watson, who was a three-set winner over Yanina Wickmayer.

Sunday’s highlights include (22) Madison Keys vs. (9) Roberta Vinci, (WC) Nicole Gibbs vs. (4) Garbine Muguruza, and CoCo Vandeweghe vs. (32) Monica Niculescu.