Sloane Stephens defeated Heather Watson 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-1 in her opening match on the BNP Paribas Open.
Stephens gained 7 out of 18 break factors. She took a 5–0 lead within the third set earlier than Watson held on, then took the win. Watson had seven aces and 7 double faults on the exhausting courts on the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Stephens superior to a second spherical match in opposition to fellow American Jessica Pegula.
American Shelby Rogers, who defeated top-ranked Ash Barty within the third spherical of the US Open, was to face Ukraine’s Annalina Kalinina in her match of the night time. American Madison Brengle, Madison Keys and qualifier Alicia Parks additionally performed later.
The males’s major draw recreation begins on Thursday.
Three-time main champion Andy Murray and four-time main champion Kim Clijsters acquired wild playing cards within the occasion. US Open champion Emma Radukanu and runner-up Leyla Fernandez have entered.
Heather Watson of Britain performs for Sloane Stephens of the United States on the BNP Paribas Open tennis event on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 in Indian Wells, California. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Electronic Hawkeye cameras, beforehand in use in tournaments, would deal with line requires every match. The chair umpire and ball youngsters will likely be available.
The mixed ATP and WTA tournaments are lacking a number of the sport’s greatest names, together with males’s No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Barty. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are additionally out within the males’s part. Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams are lacking within the ladies’s draw. Second-placed Arya Sabalenka stated she examined optimistic for COVID-19 after arriving within the desert and is in isolation.
The event was pulled from its traditional March date because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
