• Williams loses 7-6, 2-6, 6-4 at Volvo Car Open to extend poor run • Angelique Kerber and Sara Errani progress in straight sets

Venus Williams’ bid for a 50th WTA title ended when she lost to Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva in the last 16 at the Volvo Car Open on Thursday.

Williams, seventh on the WTA’s all-time wins list, lost 7-6, 2-6, 6-4 at the clay court event in South Carolina. The defeat extended a disappointing season for the No3 seed and seven-times grand slam champion as she arrived on the unique green clay courts of Charleston having lost her opening match in four of five previous events.

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Williams was plagued by errors during a breezy first set, misjudging several volleys and overheads, while Putintseva used her backhand drop shot to perfection on key points even when pinned deep in the court.

Putintseva, who earned her first victory in four meetings against Williams, will next face the fifth seed, Sara Errani, after the Italian beat Sam Stosur 6-4, 7-6.

The top seed and defending champion, Angelique Kerber, enjoyed a 6-2, 6-3 win over the Slovak qualifier Kristina Kucova. Kerber had no trouble with the wind as she recorded 35 winners and converted seven of her 10 break points to beat Kucova in 85 minutes.

“I think the feeling is coming back from last year because right now I’m feeling much better on clay again,” the German said.

Kerber now plays Irina-Camelia Begu, who advanced with a 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 win over Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig.