The early action at the Miami Open quarter-finals was cut short on Wednesday, when Spain's Paula Badosa retired from her match against Jessica Pegula and Italian ninth seed Jannik Sinner did the same versus Francisco Cerundolo.

Officials said that Badosa had a viral illness, while Sinner called it quits as a result of foot blisters. Both were favourites to advance and retired at 4-1 down in the first set of their respective matches.

Pegula, who will feature in her second WTA 1000 semi-final, lost her serve in the first game but immediately broke back, before converting again in the fourth game, dropping just one of 10 first-serve points in her limited time on the court.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/miami-open-naomi-osaka-outclasses-danielle-collins-to-set-up-maiden-semifinal-date-against-belinda-bencic-466949">Miami Open: Naomi Osaka outclasses Danielle Collins to set up maiden semifinal date against Belinda Bencic</a>

"I don't think I really thought she was going to retire, like maybe not that quickly, maybe a set or, if anything, but not that soon," the American told reporters.

Pegula, who reached her second consecutive Australian Open quarter-final this year, will face the winner of a match between 2020 Roland-Garros winner Iga Swiatek and twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.

"Been struggling with illness since the last match the other day. Tried everything to recover but wasn’t enough. I’ll take some days to recover well and prepare for clay court season," Badosa wrote on Twitter.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/miami-open-russias-daniil-medvedev-one-win-away-from-reclaiming-world-no-1-spot-466929">Miami Open: Russia's Daniil Medvedev one win away from reclaiming No. 1 spot</a>

Sinner's nightmare blisters meant Cerundolo's dream run continued, as he reached the semi-final in his first Masters 1000 main draw.

The 103rd-ranked Argentine battled past Americans Reilly Opelka and Frances Tiafoe and Frenchman Gael Monfils earlier in the tournament and now faces the victor of a meeting between fourth-ranked Alexander Zverev and world number eight Casper Ruud.

"It's everything (I've) dreamed of," the 23 year old said.

The early action at the Miami Open quarter-finals was cut short on Wednesday, when Spain's Paula Badosa retired from her match against Jessica Pegula and Italian ninth seed Jannik Sinner did the same versus Francisco Cerundolo.

The early action at the Miami Open quarter-finals was cut short on Wednesday, when Spain's Paula Badosa retired from her match against Jessica Pegula and Italian ninth seed Jannik Sinner did the same versus Francisco Cerundolo. Officials said that Badosa had a viral illness, while Sinner called it quits as a result of foot blisters. Both were favourites to advance and retired at 4-1 down in the first set of their respective matches. Pegula, who will feature in her second WTA 1000 semi-final, lost her serve in the first game but immediately broke back, before converting again in the fourth game, dropping just one of 10 first-serve points in her limited time on the court. ALSO READ: Miami Open: Naomi Osaka outclasses Danielle Collins to set up maiden semifinal date against Belinda Bencic "I don't think I really thought she was going to retire, like maybe not that quickly, maybe a set or, if anything, but not that soon," the American told reporters. Pegula, who reached her second consecutive Australian Open quarter-final this year, will face the winner of a match between 2020 Roland-Garros winner Iga Swiatek and twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova. "Been struggling with illness since the last match the other day. Tried everything to recover but wasn’t enough. I’ll take some days to recover well and prepare for clay court season," Badosa wrote on Twitter. ALSO READ: Miami Open: Russia's Daniil Medvedev one win away from reclaiming No. 1 spot Sinner's nightmare blisters meant Cerundolo's dream run continued, as he reached the semi-final in his first Masters 1000 main draw. The 103rd-ranked Argentine battled past Americans Reilly Opelka and Frances Tiafoe and Frenchman Gael Monfils earlier in the tournament and now faces the victor of a meeting between fourth-ranked Alexander Zverev and world number eight Casper Ruud. "It's everything (I've) dreamed of," the 23 year old said.

Miami Open: Paula Badosa, Jannik Sinner retire in quarter-finals, Pegula, Cerundolo enter semis

Jessica Pegula rekindled her love affair with Melbourne Park on Sunday by dumping Greek fifth seed Maria Sakkari out of the Australian Open 7-6(0) 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals for a second straight year.

Under a blazing sun at Margaret Court Arena, Pegula`s stonewall defence left the hard-hitting Sakkari a hot mess and the American only grew in confidence as the match went on.

Beaten by compatriot Jennifer Brady in last year`s quarters, 21st seed Pegula will have a chance to break new personal ground when she plays top seed Ash Barty or fellow American Amanda Anisimova in her next match.

With Madison Keys also reaching the last eight, the United States will again be well represented in the second week at Melbourne Park after having three quarter-finalists last year.

Reach Also |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/denis-shapovalov-sends-third-seed-alexander-zverev-crashing-out-of-australian-open-2022-446853">Denis Shapovalov sends third seed Alexander Zverev crashing out of Australian Open 2022</a>

"I think we all root for each other," Pegula told reporters. 
"It`s cool to see. You love to see Americans do well."

Having never reached the second week of another Grand Slam, Pegula has again found a spark on Melbourne`s blue hardcourts. 
She stayed firm as the aggressive Sakkari broke back twice in the first set only for the Greek to crumble in the tiebreak, losing seven straight points.

From there Pegula went on the offensive, swinging hard at the Greek`s serve and was rewarded with an early break. Sakkari battled to save a match point as Pegula served out but sent a defensive backhand wide to concede the match.

Pegula, whose billionaire parents own Buffalo`s NFL and NHL franchises, will be able to watch the Bills` NFL divisional playoff against the Kansas City Chiefs during her rest day on Monday, due to the timezone.

"It`s nice that everyone is fired up about me winning and fired up about the game," she said. "It makes it really fun." 
Greek trailblazer Sakkari rued a chance gone begging, having made the semi-finals of the French Open and U.S. Open last year in a breakout season.

She said she struggled in the heat and complained that the court was "dirty". 
"There were strings on the back of the court. There were flies from last night. I think the dirt always makes the court 
quicker," she said. 
"I was actually surprised. Maybe they tried to clean it but they didn`t have the time."

Jessica Pegula rekindled her love affair with Melbourne Park on Sunday by dumping Greek fifth seed Maria Sakkari out of the Australian Open 7-6(0) 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals for a second straight year.

Jessica Pegula rekindled her love affair with Melbourne Park on Sunday by dumping Greek fifth seed Maria Sakkari out of the Australian Open 7-6(0) 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals for a second straight year. Under a blazing sun at Margaret Court Arena, Pegula`s stonewall defence left the hard-hitting Sakkari a hot mess and the American only grew in confidence as the match went on. Beaten by compatriot Jennifer Brady in last year`s quarters, 21st seed Pegula will have a chance to break new personal ground when she plays top seed Ash Barty or fellow American Amanda Anisimova in her next match. With Madison Keys also reaching the last eight, the United States will again be well represented in the second week at Melbourne Park after having three quarter-finalists last year. Reach Also | Denis Shapovalov sends third seed Alexander Zverev crashing out of Australian Open 2022 "I think we all root for each other," Pegula told reporters. "It`s cool to see. You love to see Americans do well." Having never reached the second week of another Grand Slam, Pegula has again found a spark on Melbourne`s blue hardcourts. She stayed firm as the aggressive Sakkari broke back twice in the first set only for the Greek to crumble in the tiebreak, losing seven straight points. From there Pegula went on the offensive, swinging hard at the Greek`s serve and was rewarded with an early break. Sakkari battled to save a match point as Pegula served out but sent a defensive backhand wide to concede the match. Pegula, whose billionaire parents own Buffalo`s NFL and NHL franchises, will be able to watch the Bills` NFL divisional playoff against the Kansas City Chiefs during her rest day on Monday, due to the timezone. "It`s nice that everyone is fired up about me winning and fired up about the game," she said. "It makes it really fun." Greek trailblazer Sakkari rued a chance gone begging, having made the semi-finals of the French Open and U.S. Open last year in a breakout season. She said she struggled in the heat and complained that the court was "dirty". "There were strings on the back of the court. There were flies from last night. I think the dirt always makes the court quicker," she said. "I was actually surprised. Maybe they tried to clean it but they didn`t have the time."

Australian Open: Jessica Pegula rekindles love affair at Melbourne Park to reach quarterfinals

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../tennis-serena-williams-caroline-wozniacki- struggle-but-advance-to-auckland-quarters-273201">Serena&nbsp;Williams</a>&nbsp;won her first&nbsp;title&nbsp;since the 2017 Australian Open with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Jessica Pegula at the&nbsp;Auckland&nbsp;Classic on Sunday but was unable to complete the perfect week in New Zealand when she lost the doubles final.

The 38-year-old&nbsp;Williams, who said she would donate all her prize money to Australian bushfire relief funds, and good friend Caroline Wozniacki were beaten by American duo Asia Muhammad and Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-4.

The result meant that Wozniacki was unable to complete her own fairytale farewell to a tournament with which she has become synonymous, having played in New Zealand's largest city every&nbsp;year&nbsp;since 2015.

The 29-year-old Dane, who was beaten by Pegula in the singles semi-finals, is retiring after the Australian Open, which runs from Jan 20 to Feb. 2.

"I have loved coming back here," Wozniacki said after tournament organisers made a special presentation before the doubles trophy was given to Muhammad and Townsend.

"Serena, thank you playing doubles with me, it has been so much fun and the only regrets I have is that we didn't do this sooner.

"I have had such a blast and it is rare that I have this much fun on court and it was a really fun way to finish off in&nbsp;Auckland."

Williams' singles victory, however, gave the American her 73rd WTA&nbsp;title&nbsp;and broke a near&nbsp;three-year&nbsp;drought, despite having appeared in five finals since she clinched her 23rd Grand Slam crown with a&nbsp;win&nbsp;at the Australian Open in 2017.

She is chasing Australian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../bianca-andreescu-to-face-serena-for-us-open- title-247884">Margaret Court</a>'s record 24 Grand Slam singles&nbsp;titles, but has lost two Wimbledon and two U.S. Open finals since her 6-4 6-4 victory over elder sister Venus in Melbourne.

"It feels good, it has been a long time,"&nbsp;Williams&nbsp;said. "I played an incredible opponent in Jessica and honestly it was a great match."

Williams&nbsp;had struggled for consistency earlier in the week, but sent an ominous message to the Australian Open field when she demolished promising teenager Amanda Anisimova 6-1 6-1 in their semi-final and then beat an impressive Pegula on Sunday.

"I was definitely improving as the week went on and I needed to because I had some tough matches,"&nbsp;Williams&nbsp;said.

"I feel fortunate and blessed to be out here and to be healthy and to play. I have been playing for so long and been through so much and I'm happy to be doing something I love."

Serena Williams won her first title since the 2017 Australian Open with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Jessica Pegula at the Auckland Classic on Sunday but was unable to complete the perfect week in New Zealand when she lost the doubles final.

Serena Williams won her first title since the 2017 Australian Open with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Jessica Pegula at the Auckland Classic on Sunday but was unable to complete the perfect week in New Zealand when she lost the doubles final. The 38-year-old Williams, who said she would donate all her prize money to Australian bushfire relief funds, and good friend Caroline Wozniacki were beaten by American duo Asia Muhammad and Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-4. The result meant that Wozniacki was unable to complete her own fairytale farewell to a tournament with which she has become synonymous, having played in New Zealand's largest city every year since 2015. The 29-year-old Dane, who was beaten by Pegula in the singles semi-finals, is retiring after the Australian Open, which runs from Jan 20 to Feb. 2. "I have loved coming back here," Wozniacki said after tournament organisers made a special presentation before the doubles trophy was given to Muhammad and Townsend. "Serena, thank you playing doubles with me, it has been so much fun and the only regrets I have is that we didn't do this sooner. "I have had such a blast and it is rare that I have this much fun on court and it was a really fun way to finish off in Auckland." Williams' singles victory, however, gave the American her 73rd WTA title and broke a near three-year drought, despite having appeared in five finals since she clinched her 23rd Grand Slam crown with a win at the Australian Open in 2017. She is chasing Australian Margaret Court's record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, but has lost two Wimbledon and two U.S. Open finals since her 6-4 6-4 victory over elder sister Venus in Melbourne. "It feels good, it has been a long time," Williams said. "I played an incredible opponent in Jessica and honestly it was a great match." Williams had struggled for consistency earlier in the week, but sent an ominous message to the Australian Open field when she demolished promising teenager Amanda Anisimova 6-1 6-1 in their semi-final and then beat an impressive Pegula on Sunday. "I was definitely improving as the week went on and I needed to because I had some tough matches," Williams said. "I feel fortunate and blessed to be out here and to be healthy and to play. I have been playing for so long and been through so much and I'm happy to be doing something I love."

WTA Auckland Open: Williams breaks three-year title drought to win

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Miami Open: Paula Badosa, Jannik Sinner retire in quarter-finals, Pegula, Cerundolo enter semis

Australian Open: Jessica Pegula rekindles love affair at Melbourne Park to reach quarterfinals

WTA Auckland Open: Williams breaks three-year title drought to win