Serena almost ousted on Day 8 of Aussie Open

There was not so much happiness for the No. 2 seed on Monday, and even though she won her match, she didn't win it the way she wanted to.

Serena Williams had lost the first set to teenager No. 13 Victoria Azarenka, but was leading in the second, and that's when the Belorussian retired due to sickness, with a score of 63 24.

"Hopefully she'll be okay - she's young, so she'll have plenty of opportunities to do better," Williams said. "Honestly, I got worried. I was like, 'Oh my goodness,' because she started walking really slowly. The last thing she would want to do would be to fall. It was just weird. I was actually really worried."

"I started feeling sick in the morning; I woke up at 6am and was throwing up," Azarenka said. "Once I got to the court, I went to see the doctor and felt a little better. Throughout the first set and for a little bit of the second I felt fine, but then I just had no more energy. It's very disappointing because I was almost up 2-0 in the second. But whatever happens happens - I just have to accept that."

No. 8 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova also went through to the quarters when her opponent, No. 22 seed Jie Zheng, retired, due to a left wrist strain, while the Russian was leading 41 in the first set.

No. 4 seed Elena Dementieva reserved a spot in the quarterfinals after she won her match easily to No. 18 seed Dominika Cibulkova, 62 62.

Carla Suarez Navarro also won her match to get to Day 9 of the Australian Open, against compatriot Anabel Medina Garrigues in straight sets, 63 62.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Singles - Fourth Round

(2) Serena Williams (USA) d. (13) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 36 42 ret. (dizziness and GI illness)

(4) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (18) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 62 62

(8) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. (22) Zheng Jie (CHN) 41 ret. (left wrist sprain)

Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. (21) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 63 62