Kuznetsova Shocks Serena to Reach Miami Quarterfinals

Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova came back from a set down to beat world number one Serena Williams on Monday afternoon, holding on for the 6-7(3), 6-1, 6-2 victory, her first against Serena since 2009, to book her spot in the Miami Open fourth round.

“I’m really happy with my performance,” said Kuznetsova. “I tried to stay at a good level the whole game, put as many balls back. I think I did that pretty well and I’m happy with the way I served today.”

After getting edged out in a hard-fought first-set tiebreak, Kuznetsova absolutely dominated the final two sets, winning 12 of the 15 games and taking advantage of 50 unforced errors from Serena. She only committed 13 herself and played two sets of flawless tennis to reach the Miami quarterfinals for the first time since 2009.

In the quarterfinals, Kuznetsova will take on fellow Russian and 30th seed Ekaterina Makarova, who ousted 12th seed Elina Svitolina 6-1, 6-4 on Monday.

Serena’s absence means there will be only one American in the Miami quarterfinals, as Madison Keys booked her spot in the final eight with a 6-3, 6-1 thumping of Romania’s Irina Begu.

Keys will square up against second-seed and Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber, who played the day’s final match of the night on Monday, holding off Timea Babos of Hungary 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

BNP Paribas Open champion Victoria Azarenka advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-6(6), 7-6(4) triumph over fourth-seed Garbine Muguruza, setting up a matchup with 24th seed Johanna Konta of Great Britain.

Konta cruised past 32nd seed Monica Niculescu 6-2, 6-2 on Monday.

After dropping the opening set, Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky stormed back to upend third-seed Agnieszka Radwanska 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. The 19th seed will take on fifth-seed Simona Halep, who rallied back from a break down in the first set for a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Heather Watson.