The third-round defeat comes a week after Romania’s Halep was toppled in the semi-finals at Indian Wells by Japan’s Naomi Osaka, who went on to win the title in the California desert.

With the first set in hand, the mercurial Halep was clearly frustrated when Radwanska dropped just four points in the opening four games of the second to seize a 4-0 lead.

Halep reclaimed one break, but was broken again as Radwanska forced a third set, in which an early break put Halep up 2-0.

The Romanian couldn’t maintain the advantage, however, and her 44 unforced errors were too much to overcome as Radwanska won six of the last seven games to seal the victory.

Radwanska, the 2012 Miami champion, hadn’t posted back-to-back match victories since January.

She next faces former world number one Victoria Azarenka, who rallied for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory over 20th-seeded Latvian Anastasija Sevastova.

Azarenka, of Belarus, is unseeded this year as she tries to get her career back on track after taking time off to have a baby.

Despite the defeat, Halep is assured of retaining the number one spot when the rankings are updated at the end of the tournament.

But her exit leaves the women’s field in the elite hardcourt tournament without its top two seeds after second-seeded Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki lost to Monica Puig on Friday night.

Wozniacki was smarting Saturday, not from anything Puig offered on court but from what she said was threatening and vulgar behavior by fans at the match.

In a Twitter post, the Danish star called on Miami Open organizers to act after fans threatened her parents and swore at the niece and nephew of her fiance, David Lee.

“During the match last night people in the crowd threatened my family, wished death upon my mom and dad, called me names that I can’t repeat here and told my fiance’s niece and nephew (who are 10 years old) to sit down and shut the f— up,” she said in a Twitter post.

“Meanwhile security and staff did nothing to prevent this and even accepted this to take place,” Wozniacki added.

Tournament director James Blake said player security was the event’s “No. 1 priority”.

“During the match, we had tournament and WTA staff, as well as tournament security courtside,” Blake said in a statement. “They never witnessed, nor were they notified of any specific threats made to the players or their families. If they had been notified, the situation would have been handled immediately.”

In other third-round action, fifth-seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova defeated Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/4).

Pliskova will battle for a quarter-final berth against Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan, who defeated German Carina Witthoeft 4-6, 7-5, 6-0.

The four-time world champion got the jump on the Mercedes ace off a miscalculation on the pit stop under Virtual Safety Car conditions and held off Hamilton for his second straight win in Melbourne and third overall.

Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen resisted a challenge from Australian Red Bull racer Daniel Ricciardo to take third and join Vettel on the podium.

“Obviously we were a little bit lucky today,” Vettel said at the victory ceremony.

“Lewis did a great lap yesterday and deserved pole and he drove a very good race, controlling in the beginning.

“We got a bit lucky but we will take it. We’re not yet where we want to be, I don’t quite feel the car, but it gives us a good start, good wind and fresh motivation.”

It was Vettel’s 48th win in his 200th grand prix and follows his earlier wins in Melbourne in 2011 for Red Bull and last year for Ferrari.

Vettel, 30, is in a duel this season with Hamilton as they chase 1950s Argentine legend Juan Manuel Fangio’s mark of five world titles — second only to Michael Schumacher’s seven in the all-time list.

– ‘What just happened?’ –

Hamilton, who had started from pole position, got out his car and looked a bit bewildered as he removed his helmet, wondering how exactly that race got away from him.

“Today they did the better job. We have to go back to the drawing board and work on it,” Hamilton said.

“We still have great pace and during the race I could apply pressure at the end but it is so hard to overtake here.

“At the end it was live to fight another day and save the engine.”

Vettel had led after Hamilton’s early tyre stop and when mid-race the German changed to a new set of soft tyres he emerged still ahead, gaining around 10 seconds in the pit lane thanks to the Mercedes driver having to slow on track once the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) had been deployed.

“What just happened guys? Was that my mistake?” a confused Hamilton said on team radio as he saw Vettel come out of the pit lane in front of him before a full safety car was sent out with marshals struggling to remove the stranded Haas of Romain Grosjean.

“We thought we were safe, but there’s obviously something wrong,” the team told Hamilton. Mercedes potentially miscalculated the VSC minimum speed during the phase Vettel claimed the lead.

Vettel retained his lead as the race was restarted and built a lead of seven-tenths of a second.

– Alonso back in the fight –

Hamilton made an error as he locked up at turn nine and fell 2.8 seconds behind Vettel with 11 laps remaining.

Vettel proved too resilient and held on as Hamilton backed off over the final laps realising he could not pass the flying German.

Team-mate Raikkonen, bidding for his third win in Australia, kept Ricciardo and Red Bull off the podium.

“It was OK. We didn’t have the most luck but what can you do,” he said.

“Luckily it was Seb who got the luck and it was our team at least. I think I had decent speed all day long, it’s just difficult to pass.”

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso was fifth in his McLaren ahead of Red Bull’s young Dutchman Max Verstappen.

“Well done guys, very proud of you. Long winter, long seasons in the past but now we can fight, we can fight,” Alonso said over the team radio.

Federer confirmed the plan after falling 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) to Australian qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round of the Miami Masters.

“I decided not to play the clay season,” said Federer, who won his 20th Grand Slam tournament at the Australian Open in January, but will lose the world number one ranking to Rafael Nadal after his shock defeat.

It’s the second straight year that Federer will forego a clay-court campaign.

Last year after winning back-to-back tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami he took a break, returning in mid-June at the grass court tournament in Stuttgart.

He lost his first match there, but went on to win at Halle and Wimbledon.

In a Twitter post, the Danish star called on Miami Open organizers to act after fans threatened her parents and swore at the niece and nephew of her fiance, David Lee.

“I am fully aware that tennis is a game of wins and losses,” Wozniacki said in her Twitter post.

“However, during the match last night people in the crowd threatened my family, wished death upon my mom and dad, called me names that I can’t repeat here and told my Fiancé’s niece and nephew (who are 10 years old) to sit down and shut the f— up.

“Meanwhile security and staff did nothing to prevent this and even accepted this to take place. While I always encourage fans to cheer for their favorite player, and I thrive on a challenging atmosphere, when certain lines are crossed, it makes tennis miserable for both competitors.

“I hope the Miami Open chooses to take this seriously because it’s a horrible example to set for the next generation of tennis players and fans,” she concluded.

Lee, who played 12 years in the NBA, also tweeted on Saturday, saying it was a “disgusting atmosphere” in Miami.

“Hope something can be done to prevent this from happening again!” he wrote.

Puerto Rico’s Puig, who won Olympic gold in Rio, failed to win a game in the first set but rallied to beat Wozniacki 0-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a tournament she calls her hometown event.

Tournament director James Blake said security personnel present at the match didn’t witness any threats and would have acted if they had.

“The security of the players is our No. 1 priority,” Blake said in a statement.

“Last night’s match between Caroline and Monica was played in front of a loud and passionate crowd. While I personally feel that no one should have to endure any sort of abuse on the court, we do our best to provide a safe and fair environment.

“During the match, we had tournament and WTA staff, as well as tournament security courtside. They never witnessed, nor were they notified of any specific threats made to the players or their families. If they had been notified, the situation would have been handled immediately.”

Second seed Thomas, who won his first major title at last August’s PGA Championship, routed South Korean Kim Si-woo 6&5 in the round of 16 and saw off fellow American Kyle Stanley 2&1 in the quarter-finals at Austin Country Club.

If he beats Watson on Sunday, Thomas will play in the afternoon for the crown against the winner of the other semi-final between Swede Alex Noren and American Kevin Kisner.

“All I can do is go play the best I can,” Thomas said. “(Bubba) has been showing some really good form. He’s a really great player. I have to hope he doesn’t have a hot day.”

Watson, seeded 35th, edged Brian Harman 2&1 in the round of 16 and ousted Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat 5&3 in the quarter-finals.

“We were just trying to put the ball in position, trying to give us the best birdie chances. The pin placements are in some tough spots around here,” said Watson, whose only other semi-final run ended in a 2011 loss to Germany’s Martin Kaymer.

Top-ranked Dustin Johnson crashed out in group play to give the number-one opportunity to Thomas, who along with Noren were the only group top seeds to advance.

With the start of the Masters looming on April 5 at Augusta National, Thomas could join Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth in reaching world number one before the age of 25.

Thomas is seeking his ninth career PGA title and fourth in seven months after wins at TPC Boston last September, the CJ Cup in South Korea last October and the Honda Classic last month.

Kisner thrashed Ian Poulter 8&6 in the quarter-finals, the most lopsided win ever so deep into the event, after edging compatriot Matt Kuchar 1 up.

Noren, seeking his first US PGA victory, eliminated Patrick Reed 5&3 in the round of 16 and downed Australian Cameron Smith 4&2 in the quarter-finals.

Thomas and Stanley were all square after nine but Thomas won the next three holes.

Stanley answered by winning 13 on an 11-foot birdie putt but they halved the next four holes as Thomas advanced.

“I played well today but didn’t get off to the same start I had been getting,” Thomas said. “I made a lot of key putts, par savers, to keep me running smoother on the back nine.

“I’ve just been trying to play my game. I haven’t been trying to play my opponent too much.”

Noren led Smith, the only debutant in the last eight, after every hole. Smith was 2-down when he missed a six-foot birdie putt at the par-5 12th, hurling his ball in frustration at missing a chance to close the gap.

“I played good in the beginning,” Noren said. “In the middle of the round I had a few hiccups. I was forunate a few times. He burned the edges. It could have gone either way and I stepped it up at the end.”

– Poulter fails in Masters bid –

Poulter needed to reach the semi-finals to crack Monday’s top 50 in the world rankings and book a spot at the Masters in two weeks.

But Kisner won five consecutive holes to go 5-up after seven and Poulter’s misery ended at 12.

“I didn’t mess up and I threw a few birdies in there and that’s how it got that way,” Kisner said. I hadn’t been playing well but put in some prep this week and started to see some results.”

Kisner is looking for the biggest title of his career, having won PGA titles at Colonial last year and Sea Island in 2015, while Poulter must now win next week’s Houston Open to qualify for the Masters.

Kiradech, unbeaten entering the quarter-finals, was level with Watson after nine holes, but lost four straight holes to gift the big-hitting left-hander a semi-final spot.

 ONE: IRON WILL sent shockwaves of excitement throughout the state-of-the-art stadium as the card featured a series of compelling bouts, punctuated by an unforgettable championship clash. In the main event, Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes of Brazil remained the undisputed king of ONE Championship’s bantamweight division, defeating two-division world champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Australia.

In a gruelling five-round title tiff, reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes of Brazil turned in a gutsy performance, overcoming a spirited effort from ONE Featherweight & Lightweight World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Sydney, Australia to win via razor-thin split decision. The action was electric all throughout the bout, with both men having their moments. Although Nguyen landed the harder, more telling blows, Fernandes was the busier ma and performed slightly better overall with his takedowns and accurate combinations. In the final frame, Fernandes pulled away just slightly, outworking Nguyen over the last five minutes of the contest. In the end, the Brazilian did just enough to retain his title in front of a packed Impact Arena crowd. The victory cemented Fernandes’ claim as the best in the world at bantamweight, earning him a record eight title defenses to remain the most dominant ONE world champion in history.

Bibiano Fernandes, ONE Bantamweight World Champion, stated: “I said I would win, and I did. I really live for these challenges. I’m the champion, and I’m here to stay. I’m the best bantamweight in the world. I’ve proven it many times. Bangkok, Thailand — thank you for having me.”

In the co-main event of the evening, Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado of the Philippines overcame insurmountable odds, knocking out former world champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in the first round. In a wild exchange of punches, Miado clipped Amnuaysirichoke with a thunderous right cross, sending the Thai hometown hero crashing to the canvas as the referee waved off the contest immediately.

Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai of Thailand authored one of the most dominant performances of the night, reinserting his name into the winner’s column with a quick knockout victory over Singapore-based Indian martial artist Rahul Raju. Wiratchai only needed 21 seconds to shut the lights out on Raju, landing a hard right hook to clinch the scintillating knockout. With his impressive conquest of Raju, Wiratchai earned the GoDaddy Knockout of the Night.

In a clash of talented female atomweights, Angelie Sabanal of the Philippines captured a hard-earned victory, routing Thai rising star Rika Ishige via unanimous decision in her ONE Championship debut. Sabanal and Ishige kept the action focused primarily at the center of the ONE Championship cage for the majority of the bout. The Filipina newcomer showcased her pinpoint accurate striking early on, peppering Ishige with stinging kicks and stiff punches. Although Ishige boldly traded strikes with the Filipina kickboxer from bell to bell, the latter pulled away in the final round, landing the more telling blows. In the end, Sabanal earned the undivided nod from the three judges at cageside.

23-year-old Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev reignited his meteoric rise through the ranks, defeating seasoned Japanese veteran Tetsuya Yamada by submission. Both men started out aggressively, but it was Arslanaliev who showed a more capable set of both striking and grappling skills throughout the three-round lightweight match. As Yamada avoided trading strikes in the stand-up, Arslanaliev spun a web of crafty grappling on the ground to overwhelm the Japanese veteran. Driven to score a finish, Arslanaliev was able to get the submission in the third round, making Yamada tap from a wrenching belly-down armbar.

Pakistani martial artist Waqar Umar made an astounding statement in his return to the ONE Championship cage after nearly two years of absence, submitting Chinese prospect Zhao Zhi Kang in the first round of their featherweight clash. With a game plan to take matters to the ground, Umar got the job done by fastening a rear-naked choke to force the tap from Zhao.

American submission wizard Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon impressed in his highly-anticipated ONE Championship debut, toppling Filipino lightweight Richard Corminal in his maiden assignment wearing four-ounce gloves on the premier martial arts stage. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu superstar put forth a dominant striking performance, unveiling a new dimension to his evolving skill set by putting together dynamic combinations. In an offensive clinic against his Filipino counterpart, Tonon overwhelmed Corminal with punishing strikes from the get-go, blasting his opponent with rocking right hands and cracking kicks. In the second round, Tonon took matters to the ground and quickly got mount, finishing Corminal with a pair of elbows.

Kritsada “Dream Man” Kongsrichai made quick work of the Philippines’ Robin Catalan to continue his winning ways inside the ONE Championship cage. Opening up the contest by taking the action right to Catalan, Kongsrichai pounced on his Filipino opponent with a series of powerful strikes, including solid knees from the clinch. As he pushed Catalan constantly back up against the cage, Kongsrichai wrapped his arms around his foe’s midsection and took him for a ride with a belly-to-back suplex. Catalan was deemed unable to continue when he landed on the mat, forcing the referee to wave it off and declare Kongsrichai as the victor by way of stoppage.

Multiple-time kickboxing world champion Alain “The Panther” Ngalani placed himself back on the winning track by edging out promotional newcomer Ariunbold Tur-Ochir of Mongolia via split decision. Both men gave fans a spirited effort over three rounds, which featured a healthy stream of action from both corners. After a gruelling contest, it was Ngalani who walked out with his hand raised in triumph.

Gilberto Galvao of Brazil spoiled the much-awaited return of Jake Butler to competition, defeating the decorated American wrestler by technical knockout in the second round. Galvao finished the job in the opening sequence of the contest’s second frame, checking a low kick from Butler with a hard knee. As Butler dropped to the canvas, he held onto his leg and hit the ground writhing in pain, the referee stepped in and called a halt to the bout, awarding the victory to Galvao.

A three-round bantamweight encounter served as the curtain-raiser for ONE: IRON WILL as “The Terminator” Sunoto battled it out with Malaysian standout Hisyam Samsudin. Leaning on his impeccable grappling, Sunoto burned out his opponent, consistently bringing Samsudin to the canvas and controlling the action with crisp ground strikes. With a dominant top game, Sunoto notched his second consecutive victory in 2018, defeating Samsudin as all three judges saw the bout in favor of the Indonesian to win by unanimous decision.

Official results for ONE: IRON WILL

ONE Bantamweight World Championship bout: Bibiano Fernandes defeats Martin Nguyen by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds

Strawweight bout: Jeremy Miado defeats Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke by Knockout (KO) at 1:29 minutes of round 1

Lightweight bout: Shannon Wiratchai defeats Rahul Raju by Knockout (KO) at 0:21 minutes of round 1

Women’s atomweight bout: Angelie Sabanal defeats Rika Ishige by Unanimous Decision (UD)

Lightweight bout: Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev defeats Tetsuya Yamada by Submission (Armbar) at 2:51 minutes of round 3

Featherweight bout: Waqar Umar defeats Zhao Zhi Kang by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:21 minutes of round 1

Lightweight bout: Garry Tonon defeats Richard Corminal by TKO (Strikes) at 3:40 minutes of round 2

Strawweight bout: Kritsada Kongsrichai defeats Robin Catalan by TKO (Slam) at 1:40 minutes of round 1

Light Heavyweight bout: Alain Ngalani defeats Ariunbold Tur-Ochir by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds

Middleweight bout: Gilberto Galvao defeats Jake Butler by TKO (Strikes) at 0:07 minutes of round 2

Bantamweight bout: Sunoto defeats Hisyam Samsudin by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Kokkinakis, ranked 175th in the world, needed a wild card just to get into qualifying. But he showed nerves of steel in a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) triumph over 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer.

“I was calmer than I thought,” Kokkinakis said of the third-set tiebreaker. “Inside I was pretty happy, I was excited, but I kept pretty calm.”

Federer, who won his 20th Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open, regained the number one spot in February after winning the ATP title in Rotterdam but needed to reach the quarter-finals to remain at the summit.

Instead he’ll be replaced by Spain’s Rafael Nadal when the rankings are released at the end of the tournament.

“I deserve it after this match. That’s how I feel. Just so bad,” said Federer, adding that he “could never get to any level that I was happy with today”.

“Sometimes you have these matches,” he said. “Sometimes you find a way through. I just couldn’t get it done today.”

The 36-year-old wasted no time in announcing he’ll skip the clay-court season, including the French Open, just as he did last year after winning titles in Indian Wells and Miami.

The 21-year-old Kokkinakis, who has already battled injuries in his young career, became the lowest-ranked player to beat a world number one since Spain’s Francisco Clavet was 178th when he upset top-ranked Lleyton Hewitt in the second round at Miami in 2003.

Federer appeared firmly in control when he breezed through the first set without facing a break point, dropping just six points on his own serve. His lone break for a 3-1 lead was all he needed to pocket the set.

But after saving break points in the opening game of the second, Kokkinakis seized upon a lackluster service game from Federer to break for a 3-1 lead, holding firm on his own serve to force the decider.

“I feel like it already started beginning of the second set when I had break points first game, and he almost wanted to give me that game, and I couldn’t take it,” Federer said. “From that moment on, I played maybe a bad 10 minutes, which cost me the second set, maybe the match.”

Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia celebrates match point against Roger Federer. 

Kokkinakis admitted he “didn’t really put any pressure” on Federer in the opening set.

“In the second set I kind of used a couple of loose errors — I started getting in the rallies more and dictating a bit with my forehand.”

Federer was again impenetrable on his serve in the third, but he was unable to capitalize on his only two break points, both in a marathon sixth game, as they went on serve to the tiebreaker.

Two errors from Federer gave Kokkinakis a 4-3 lead. A stinging forehand winner put the young Aussie up 6-4, and he closed it out when Federer netted a backhand service return.

“When I feel like I’m playing on my terms I don’t think there’s too many people that can go with me Kokkinakis said. “I just needed to play my game and play aggressive tennis.”

– ‘Such a good role model’ –

Kokkinakis was delighted to beat a player he so admires, calling Federer “such a good role model for the sport”.

He might have benefitted from a little inside information after practising with Federer, who invited him to his training facility in Dubai.

“I’ve trained with him a lot of times,” Kokkinakis said. “I took what I learned from him and sort of kind of knew how he played a little bit.”

Despite his own disappointment, Federer was pleased for the younger player.

“I’ve always liked his game,” he said. “I’m happy for him that on the big stage he was able to show it, center court, Miami, people watching, beating me. It’s a big result for him in his career. I hope it’s going to launch him, really getting his ranking up.”

Kokkinakis next faces Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco, a 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 winner over compatriot Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

Czech 10th seed Tomas Berdych punched his third-round ticket with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.

He’ll face rising US talent Frances Tiafoe, who downed 21st-seeded Briton Kyle Edmund 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (7/5).

Anxiety turned to joy moments later as Thailand goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan kept out the African visitors’ first two spot-kicks before his teammates played their part in leading the War Elephants to a thrilling 4-2 shoot-out win to earn their place in Sunday evening’s final against Slovakia.

The 28-year-old Bangkokian’s heroics were evidence that life in Europe is already paying off, even after just two months with Belgian Division 2 side Oh Leuven.

More than anything, he showed an ability to keep his cool at the crucial moment.

“I have been through a lot of pressure in Belgium,” said the well-built, 1.83m-tall keeper.

“When you live away from home and have to prove yourself against players who are better, there’s a lot of tension. I have to be really patient.  It’s very useful for me when I’m in a tough situation.”

However, the first Thai goalkeeper to play professionally in Europe does not want Thursday’s victory to be credited to him alone.

“In the end it’s a group effort – you cannot win a game by depending on a single person. Every player in the team gave everything they had to come up with the result,” added Kawin, who has played twice for OH Leuven since signing a five-year-deal in January.

Most of all, he says he owes a debt to his goalkeeper coach, Sasa Todic of Serbia, who has helped sharpen his game to where it is at the moment.

“He has been coaching me in so many ways,” said Kawin, who is widely respected for his work ethic and self-discipline. “I have to thank him for his trust and helping me prepare before games.

Thailand’s task will be tougher on Sunday evening, against world No 29 Slovakia. The game will kick off at 7.30pm after the third place play-off between the United Arab Emirates and Gabon.

For Kawin this will be one of the most important matches of his life as Thailand seek to complete a hat-trick of King’s Cup triumphs.

“Our mission is not over yet. We need to make sure that the cup remains on home soil,” added Kawin.

Fans can watch both the third-place game (4.30pm) and the final on Thai Rath TV 32.

The 18-year-old from Hat Yai sprinkled his round with six birdies and an eagle against a lone bogey on the 15th hole to dominate Thailand’s richest golf tournament with a three-round total of 17 under-par-199.

“I was playing well like I did in the first round. Even though I got into difficult positions, I still managed to find a way back, which is why I shot a better score today,” said Phachara, who finished his day with an astonishing birdie from the bunker.

His round’s highlight also featured a 20-foot eagle putt on the fifth hole.

The teen prodigy who used to hold the world record as the youngest winner to win a professional event after he won the 2013 Hua Hun Open at the age of 14, is now in pole position to win an event in which he came so close last year.

On that occasion he was leading Panuphol Pittayarat by one shot going up the 18th but a finishing double-bogey cost him the trophy and he had to settle for second.

“I’ve already put that behind me and now I am looking ahead for a better result,” said Phachara, who is close to ending a two-year title drought since he won the 2016 Singha Esan Open in Khon Kaen.

“I will not put myself under pressure. I will just try to stick to my game plan.”

“I had no idea I haven’t won for such a long time,” said Phachara who finished second three times in 2017: in the Singapore Open, the ISPS Handa World Super 6 in Perth and the Indonesia Masters.

“I actually didn’t set any special targets this week but as I have come so close again, I will try my best to win on Sunday.”

Panuphol Pittayarat 

Panuphol, the 2017 Order of Merit winner of the All Thailand Golf Tour, carded an unblemished 67 for a total of 14-under-par-202.

“It will depend on my putts tomorrow,” he said. “I will try to shoot birdies. Even though I won last year  and have more experience, it doesn’t mean I stand a better chance. The one who grabs more opportunities will win.”

Japan’s Osaka came into the second-round match against fourth-seeded Ukrainian Svitolina on an eight-match winning streak that included her dream run to the Indian Wells title and a first-round triumph here over 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams.

But it was Svitolina who emerged with a 6-4, 6-2 victory thanks to a solid service performance that saw her win nearly 80 percent of points on her first serve.

Svitolina saved five of six break points she faced and broke Osaka four times en route to the victory in an hour and 23 minutes.

After staving off Osaka in a close first set, Svitolina raced to a 4-0 lead in the second.

A reeling Osaka finally held serve with an ace for 4-1, but Svitolina produced an ace of her own to win the next game.

Osaka saved two match points before holding for 5-2, but she was unable to convert three break points in the next game as Svitolina sealed the win.

“Just Indian Wells, she was pretty confident,” Svitolina said, adding that Osaka’s win over Williams only bolstered that assurance. “It was challenging. I’m very happy the way I handled this match today and the way I was playing.”

Osaka said she didn’t feel any mental let-down, but she was battling physical illness that had her throwing up before the match. She never considered withdrawing, however.

“I don’t think it would be right to just not play, especially after I play someone like Serena, then if you just don’t play the next match — I think that’s wrong.”

Svitolina next faces Australian Daria Gavrilova, a 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 winner over Germany’s Andrea Petkovic.

Naomi Osaka 

Osaka, meanwhile, will have time to regroup after a whirlwind fortnight. The 20-year-old leaped 22 places in the rankings to number 22 in the world on the strength of her surprise Indian Wells win.

– Kvitova advances –

She conquered her nerves to beat Williams on Wednesday, another setback to the US great’s return from a 13-month absence to have her first baby — daughter Alexis Olympia.

“I think I’ve played more matches than I ever have back-to-back,” Osaka said of the positives she has taken from her recent run of success. “I didn’t really feel that tired, so that’s a good thing.

“And I’ve played so many good players, and I’ve experienced a lot of new things, so I’m really happy about that.”

Osaka said that “definitely playing Serena” was the highlight of the last two weeks.

“But also just the matches leading up to the (Indian Wells) final, and the final itself. Of course winning the final was really cool, (but) I’ve always dreamed of playing Serena so I think that’s my number one.”

In other second-round action on Friday, ninth-seeded Czech Petra Kvitova defeated 19-year-old Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion and former world number two, needed just over two hours to triumph in a match of heavy-hitters.

She set up a third-round match against American qualifier Sofia Kenin, a 3-6, 6-2 6-2 upset winner over 19th seeded Daria Kasatkina of Russia, who was runner-up to Osaka at Indian Wells last week.