British number one Katie Boulter is through to the Miami Open third round after 16-year-old opponent Brenda Fruhvirtova was forced to retire through illness.
Boulter, who has made a strong start to 2024, led the second-round match 7-6 (7-5) 1-0 when Fruhvirtova withdrew.
The Czech player led by an early break but struggled in the Florida heat and twice asked to see a doctor.
“To win like that, I’ll take it but I want her to get better,” said Boulter.
Speaking to Sky Sports, she added. “Halfway through the match I’m seeing her coaches telling her to pull out and then she’s not.
“One minute she’s struggling to put the ball in the court and the next she’s running 10 shots side to side. It’s a tough mental game.”
In the men’s singles, British number three Dan Evans fought back to beat Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego and earn a rare win in what has been a difficult start to the season.
Evans, 33, showed his fight and resilience to secure a 1-6 6-3 6-4 victory against the world number 53.
Evans, who is ranked 43rd, claimed only his third win in nine matches this year, setting up a second-round match against American 31st seed Christopher Eubanks.
“I’m really happy – it has been a tragic year so far,” Evans said.
Fellow Britons Andy Murray, Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper are all scheduled to play their second-round matches on Friday, but a packed schedule is set to be disrupted with rain forecast in Florida.
