Emma Raducanu made it through to the third round at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after her opponent Dayana Yastremska retired injured.
The victory ensured back-to-back wins for the former US Open champion for the first time since Indian Wells last year.
Raducanu stormed into a 4-0 lead before 30th seed Yastremska pulled up in pain at the back of the court. After receiving medical treatment the Australian Open semi-finalist was forced to retire.
It means the 21-year-old will play Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka or Peyton Stearns in the third round on Monday, live on Sky Sports Tennis.
Raducanu had made a flying start and led 4-0 in the opening set when the Ukrainian 30th seed appeared to suffer an abdominal injury.
She immediately called for the physio but could not carry on, handing the Briton the win.
Raducanu may well have been victorious anyway had the match lasted the course as she looked impressive in the play that was possible.
She broke Yastremska’s serve in the opening game with a sublime drop shot and then showed grit to save a break point in her first service game.
A second break came courtesy of a strong backhand before a routine service hold put her in control.
It was in that game that Raducanu won to love that Yastremska suffered the injury and it forced a second retirement against the former US Open champion in two meetings.
Raducanu now looks set to meet second-seed Sabalenka in the third round, which will test exactly where she is in her comeback from an injury-ravaged 2023.
Norrie joins Raducanu in next round
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Here’s the moment Cameron Norrie made it through to the third round of the unofficial fifth major in the Californian desert
British No 1 Cameron Norrie dispatched Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 6-4 to advance to the third round in California after 90 minutes.
“I missed a couple of balls and he started playing a little bit better,” Norrie said of his final service game, in which he trailed 0-30.
“I missed two first balls that I should make and I was down 0-30 and I was like, ‘Wow.’ I didn’t do anything that special, just made a lot of first serves. Fortunate to be through.”
Miles Maclagan on Sky Sports Tennis
“There’s certainly room for improvement. His attitude and energy is always good which can then allow his performance to grow,” he said of Norrie’s performance.
“Getting through to the next round is key. He’s lacking a bit of confidence right now, he’s giving away more unforced errors and his game is about giving his opponent absolutely nothing and there were a few opportunities that he wouldn’t have wanted to give Sonego.
“Those things improve as the wins come.”
Norrie, the 2021 champion here, will next face eighth seed Hubert Hurkacz or Gael Monfils for a spot in the last 16.
Tale of the Tape
How to watch play on Sky Sports Tennis
The stars of tennis will appear on the new Sky Sports Tennis channel every day
Sky Sports has confirmed a new home for tennis in the UK and Ireland, with Sky Sports Tennis on Sky and NOW, making tennis content available all day, every day for fans.
Sky Sports will broadcast more live tennis than anywhere else, bringing over 4,000 matches from more than 80 tournaments a year on the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as full coverage of the US Open, all exclusively live.
Non-Sky subscribers can stream live matches with a NOW Sports Day and Month Membership, via Sky Sports Tennis, Sky Sports Arena, and Sky Sports Mix channels.
For further access, fans will also be able to follow their favourite players and gain deeper insights from both Tours via Sky Sports News, the Sky Sports app, on SkySports.com and via Sky Sports social channels.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Find out all the ways to watch tennis on Sky Sports, including the US Open, ATP and WTA tours
Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp!
You can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest breaking sports news, analysis, in-depth features and videos from our dedicated WhatsApp channel!
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – just £21 a month for 12 months. No contract, cancel anytime.