Intro:

Defending champion Venus Williams and fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska both lost in the third round of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Wednesday (18th February).

Script:

Seemingly back on form after her Australian Open run, Venus Williams faced Lucie Safarova in a sweltering 34 degrees in Dubai.

The American breezed through her second round dropping just three games, yet she was in trouble early on against Safarova.

Safarova held onto her break to take the first set 6-4 and was in commanding form in the second.

The Czech would break Williams twice in the second set and then finished the American off with a to-love service game to win 6-4, 6-2.

The defeat for Williams is her first in 10 years at the Dubai event, having won the title on her previous three appearances.

For Safarova it's an all Czech affair in the quarters against Karolina Pliskova.

Agnieszka Radwanska also suffered a surprise departure from the event against the un-seeded Garbrine Muguruza.

The fifth-seeded Pole lost the first set 6-4.

And was then a break down in the second when the Spaniard consolidated the break finding the line with this forehand.

Muguruza broke again and set up match point at advantage on her serve.

Just like Safarova winning 6-4, 6-2.

Muguruza now faces fellow Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro for a place in the last four.