Serena Williams waited out a 45-minute rain interruption on Saturday before defeating France’s Caroline Garcia 6-4 4-6 6-4 to advance at the Miami Masters.

The world No.1’s progress was temporarily halted in the fifth game of the final set when a passing shower stopped play.

But after the pause, top seed Williams emerged with her third career victory against her 74th-ranked rival to reach the fourth round at the hardcourt event.

Williams, 32, bidding for a record seventh title at her home tournament, now stands 63-7 at the venue.

“Granted, she played great, but I made so many errors, I hit so short,” Williams said.

“It really isn’t the same player. I just have to do better.

“It’s important to stay positive. Obviously I wasn’t at my best. I had 40-something errors.

“It’s not the way to play professional tennis. On the professional tour you have to do a little better than that, so hopefully I can in the next few matches do better.”

Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki was unable to play because of influenza, handing a walkover to Belgian Kirsten Flipkens.

German fifth seed Angelique Kerber beat Tsvetana Pironkova 6-0 6-2, eighth seed Petra Kvitova stopped Croatian Donna Vekic 6-3 6-4 and Ekaterina Makarova upset Italian ninth seed Sara Errani 6-3 2-6 6-4.