Venus Williams knocked out early in Wuhan Open

Wuhan: Caroline Garcia of France defeated Venus Williams in the first round of the Wuhan Open on Sunday while wild card Victoria Azarenka withdrew with an injured right foot and will miss the rest of the season.

Garcia, ranked 30 places below No. 18 Williams, won 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (6) and next faces Agnieszka Radwanska.

Barbora Zahlavova Strycova from the Czech Republic defeated Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 7-6 (5), 7-6 (2) while Elina Svitolina beat Camila Giorgi 6-2, 6-3.

Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova also moved into the second round with an easy 6-3, 6-2 win against Kurumi Nara from Japan

Zarina Diyas, Kirsten Flipkens, Karin Knapp and Alison Riske also advanced after dropping a set in their matches.

Lucky loser Annika Beck replaced two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka in the main draw.