Another wild card entry blew up in the face of 43-year-old Venus Williams as the seven-time Grand Slam winner lost 6-3, 6-3 on Tuesday to teenaged Diana Shnaider on opening day at the Miami Masters.

Williams is nil-for-two in matches after also losing her opening match in Indian Wells.

The 457th-ranked American veteran whose career is now reduced to part-time was playing her 85th main draw match at her home event, while No. 62 Shnaider, winner in Hua Hin in early February, was on her first.

.Williams had her moment of glory as she took a temporary early break in the second set before going down to the loss after 22 winners from her opponent.

Shnaider next takes on another American, facing Madison Keys in the second round.

Paula Badosa will bid for a successful debut on the unorthodox pink courts of next week’s WTA Hua Hin event as the former No. 2 makes her competitive debut in Thailand.

The Spaniard who is returning from injury won two rounds at the Australian Open last week and is trying to lift a ranking which has fallen to 100.

“People are very nice, the hospitality is amazing. I’ve enjoyed the last few days and now I’m looking forward to getting started,” said said in the run-up at the Thai beach resorts favoured by the country’s royalty.

The playing surface at the venue is hard to miss: “The pink courts are really different and hopefully next week I can play a lot of matches on them,” Badosa said.

“Conditions are totally different from Australia; it’s humid here and the courts are playing a little bit slower, plus there is a little bit more wind.

“So it’s going to be a challenge but I’m looking forward to it.”
 

Injury-prone Bianca Andreescu turned in another disappointing result on Saturday as she was forced to quit in the second set against Lesia Tsurenko, handing the Ukrainian a 7-5, 4-0 place in the final of the WTA Hua Hin event.

The Canadian who won the US Open in 2019 then missed the entire 2020 season with physical problems, was unable to continue to to a right shoulder problem which required a trainer on court as she trailed after what was the penultimate game.

No. 136 outsider Tsurenko who will play her first final in four years, taking on China’s Zhu Lin on Sunday at the Thai beach resort where the country’s royalty traditionally holiday.

Tsurenko will aim for her fifth career trophy after advancing when Andreescu quit hurt after 95 minutes on a steaming, humid court.

Andreescu, who has a history of fitness problems and long absences from the Tour, led 5-3 in the opening set and also served for it before her game faded away with the injury.  

The No. 42 ended with a massive 37 unforced errors, lost serve six times and looked to be in serious pain while being treated near the end by the trainer.

Tsurenko was pleased with her own effort despite the premature ending.

“I was fighting and telling myself that I could do it,” the 33-year-old Australian Open qualifier said.

“It’s unfortunate she had to retire, but it was a great match.”

Tsurenko, who swept the final eight games against Andreescu, called upcoming opponent Zhu “dangerous”

“The final wil be a big fight, But I’m super-happy I made it there. I’m really excited to be in the final.”

She beat the Chinese in their only previous meeting, Dubai in 2019.

Main photo:- Lesia Tsurenko beats Bianca Andreescu by WTATennis.com