Venus knocks out Serena
INDIAN WELLS: Serena Williams’ return to the WTA Tour came to an abrupt end Monday as she crashed out of Indian Wells with a 6-3, 6-4 loss to her sister Venus.
Venus closed out the 29th career meeting between the two on her second match point as Serena sailed a forehand long to end the third- round showdown.
It was the first meeting between the sisters since they clashed in the final of the 2017 Australian Open, which Serena won before taking a 15-month hiatus due to her pregnancy.
The 10th seeded Venus played Anastasija Sevastova, who defeated 12th seeded Julia Georges 6-3, 6-3, late yesterday.
Despite the loss Serena still leads their career series 17-12.
Elsewhere, Australian Open champ Caroline Wozniacki benefited from a challenge call in the final game en route to defeating Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.
Caroline silenced the critics earlier this year when she claimed her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, becoming the first Danish woman to win a major.
The 27-year-old World No 2 Caroline moves on to the fourth round where she faced 20th seeded Russian Daria Kasatkina, who surprised reigning US Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-4, 6-3, late yesterday.
In other women’s third round matches on Monday, French seventh seed Caroline Garcia defeated Australia’s Daria Gavrilova 75, 6-4.
Danielle Collins also won her third round match, defeating Sofya Zhuk of Russia 6-4, 6-4.