Venus Williams crashed out of the Miami Open in the first round. Kazakhstan’s Zarina Diyas ousted the three-time former champion 6-2, 7-6 (10) in an hour and 28 minutes. Diyas quickly claimed the opening set as Williams struggled with her shot-making, hitting 16 unforced errors.
Although the pair exchanged a break of serve in the set, Zarina Diyas converted two more break points to firm her position in the match. In the second set, it was Williams who gained a 4-1 lead over her opponent, after breaking her in the fourth game.
But her errors soon pegged her back and allowed her opponent to level the score. A second break of Williams’ serve gave Diyas the chance to serve for the match in the 12th game but Williams broke back. The ensuing tie-break tottered between the two players, as Diyas was unable to make good of three match points and Williams squandered two set points.
Finally, at 10-all, a double fault off Williams gave Kazakh her fourth match point which she finally converted after Williams’ return found the net. In the second round, Diyas will play 11th seed Belinda Bencic.