World number one and three-time defending champion Serena Williams and second-ranked Andy Murray both crashed out of the ATP and WTA Miami Open on a Monday filled with upsets.
Russian 15th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova stunned 21-time Grand Slam champion Williams 6-7 (3/7), 6-1, 6-2 while British world number two Murray dropped a third-round match to Bulgarian 26th seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-7 (1/7), 6-4, 6-3.
Williams and Murray each made 55 unforced errors, fading in the third set when it mattered most.
“A lot of unforced errors crept in and he was a lot more solid than me,” said Murray, who had 22 unforced errors in the third set alone. “I made many more mistakes than usual, especially in the third set.”
Williams` struggles prompted questions about her fitness and movement, irking the 21-time Grand Slam champion.
“I don`t think it`s appropriate to criticize my movement right now,” Williams said. “I did the best I could. I can`t win every match. These players come out and give their best. I have to give 300 percent every match.”
The 34-year-old American was seeking her ninth Miami crown but instead matched her earliest-ever exit from 2000 with a fourth-round departure.
“It`s obviously disappointing, but I have won here a lot, so it`s OK,” Williams said.
Also ousted were world number two Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, upset by 20th-ranked Swiss Timea Bacsinszky 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, as well as Spanish fourth seed Garbine Muguruza, who fell 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4) to 13th seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Two-time Grand Slam champion Murray failed in his bid for a third Miami trophy and fourth final in five seasons.
The 28-year-old Scotsman dominated the tie-breaker but fell behind 4-0 in the second set and stumbling after leading in the third, swatting a forehand long on match point to fall after two hours and 24 minutes.
