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By Erik Gudris | Tuesday, September 23, 2014



World No. 1 and recent US Open champion Serena Williams made an unexpected exit out of the Wuhan Open due to illness.

Williams faced off against France's Alize Cornet in the second round of the inaugural WTA event. It was the American's first match back on court since winning her 18th Grand Slam singles title in New York, and she took control early.

Leaping out to a 3-1 lead, Williams looked poised to perhaps earn her first win over Cornet this season. Cornet beat Williams in two previous meetings earlier this year in Dubai and Wimbledon. Cornet leveled the set at 3-all that soon went back and forth between both players.

When Williams struck a smash to regain the lead for 6-5, that's when the problems began for the top seed.

Wrapping an ice towel around her face, Williams soon called for medical attention. A doctor arrived on court and took Williams's temperature on the sidelines. After that, Williams retired 6-5 in the first set.

A viral illness was cited as the official reason for Williams' retirement.

Halep Upset By Muguruza in Three Sets

Williams' exit continues a string of upsets, withdrawals and retirements for the new Wuhan premier WTA event.

Also on the same day, Spain's Garbine Muguruza knocked out No. 2 seed Simona Halep in a tight three set contest. Muguruza reeled off 34 winners en route to winning 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.

No. 10 seed Jelena Jankovic retired down 1-4 in the first set in her match to American Coco Vandeweghe.

Tokyo winner Ana Ivanovic retired with a right thigh injury during her first round match on Monday to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Earlier, Wuhan native Li Na announced her retirement from the sport before the event in her hometown started. Former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka also withdrew before play started due to an ongoing foot injury.

 

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