Halep, Svitolina impress as Serena exits

Serena Williams bowed out of the Indian Wells Open due to illness, while Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina enjoyed strong wins.

Williams, a two-time champion of the event, trailed Garbine Muguruza before retiring due to a viral illness.

Halep and Svitolina were impressive in third-round victories on Sunday, while Ashleigh Barty also progressed.

However, there was no such luck for the likes of Johanna Konta and Jelena Ostapenko.

SERENA DEPARTS IN CALIFORNIA

Williams trailed fellow seed Muguruza 6-3 1-0 when the 23-time grand slam champion retired.

Despite initially complaining of a leg injury, Williams' retirement was officially due to a viral illness.

The result saw Muguruza set up a fourth-round meeting with Kiki Bertens, the seventh seed who overcame Konta 7-6 (12-10) 6-4.

"I wish I'm going to see her soon, and better!"@GarbiMuguruza sends her best wishes to @serenawilliams .#BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/xKWnrLgZTz

— WTA (@WTA) March 10, 2019

HALEP, SVITOLINA AND BARTY SHINE

Halep, the 2015 champion, was challenged but got past qualifier Kateryna Kozlova 7-6 (7-3) 7-5.

The Romanian was one of six seeds to progress, with Svitolina joining her after a 7-5 6-4 win over Daria Gavrilova.

#SAPGameSetStat: @Simona_Halep was incredible on the return today at the @BNPPARIBASOPEN!@SAPSports pic.twitter.com/Kgxj96RGKU

— WTA (@WTA) March 11, 2019

Barty, the Australian 12th seed, was in fine form as she brushed past wildcard Jennifer Brady 6-3 6-2, setting up a meeting with Svitolina.

OSTAPENKO, MERTENS EXIT

Ostapenko was unable to survive a test from Marketa Vondrousova, who edged to a 4-6 6-3 6-4 win.

Along with Williams, the other seed to depart was Elise Mertens, the Belgian beaten by Wang Qiang 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 after a three-hour battle.

Tremendous tussle between these two seeds! It's Wang Qiang who wins, beating Mertens 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 6-3!#BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/xu3rhO8ucn

— WTA (@WTA) March 10, 2019