Slam champions Ostapenko, Krejcikova and Kvitova advance in Indian Wells

A number of Grand Slam champions had been in second-round motion on Day 3 of the BNP Paribas Open. Defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka received on Friday by beating Evgenia Rodina. And that is the way it went for 3 nice champions:

[24] Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) d. Aleksandra Chasnovich 7-5, 4-6, 6-3

Jelena Ostapenko received the match in opposition to Aleksandra Sasnovich 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in 2 hours and 5 minutes.

The previous Roland Garros champion has now received 5 of his six conferences with Sasnovich, however 4 of these wins have come the gap. It was one other fast-paced exhibiting: Ostapenko led 4-0 within the first set, however Sasnovich broke her again at 4-4 earlier than closing it out.

Sasnovich relentlessly attacked Ostapenko’s second serve within the second set, permitting the Latvian to win simply two of 11 factors. However Ostapenko introduced that tally to eight of 11 and retired within the decider. In the meantime, Chasnovich would go on to play in two separate video games during which he dedicated three double fouls (together with a number of foot fouls).

Ostapenko’s third-round opponent will probably be one other Grand Slam champion: Petra Kvitova.

[15] Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. [WC] Elizabeth Mandlik (United States) 6-1, 7-5

Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova received her first match in her fortnight, knocking out American wild card Mandlik in 86 minutes. Kvitova has reached the Indian Wells quarterfinals twice in 2013 and 2016, however she has but to get previous that desert spherical in her profession.

Kvitova dominated the primary set, the place she received all 9 of her first serve factors and didn’t face a break level. World quantity 155 Mandlik took the second set 5-4 to degree the match.

Highlights: Kvitova def. Mandlik

Kvitova has held a slim 5-4 lead over Ostapenko since 2016. Their most up-to-date assembly was a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ostapenko on grass within the last. Eastbourne grade final 12 months.

[16] Barbora Krejcikova d. [WC] Dayana Yastremska 6-1, 6-2

Dubai champion Barbora Krejcikova prolonged her result in seven after 69 minutes to dispatch Dayana Yastremska 6-1, 6-2. The Czech misplaced to Yastremska in her final assembly in Doha final 12 months after an elbow damage to her sidelined her for 3 months.

Krejcikova’s revenge was cruel. After dropping the primary sport, she dropped simply 9 extra factors within the the rest of the primary set and received eight straight video games to go broke within the second. Having efficiently mitigated Yastremska’s energy, Krejcikova’s solely brief break got here when she didn’t serve, although she dodged it on the Ukrainian’s serve within the subsequent sport.