Victoria Azarenka will not conquer Indian Wells (WTA 1000) this time. The two-time California event champion was eliminated after the first game. She lost to Czech Karolina Muchova.

The Indian Wells women’s event has been played since 1989. Victoria Azarenka (WTA 14), one of nine Californian tennis players, has won twice. She won this tournament in 2012 and 2016. In 2021 she appeared in the final again and lost to Spaniard Paula Badosa after a thriller. This time, the former leader of the ranking was knocked out in the second round after losing 6:7(1), 3:6 to Karolina Muchova (WTA 76).

In the first set, Azarenka lost 1-4, then 3-5. She made up for the loss and it was a tiebreaker. In it, the 1-1 two-time Australian Open champion is down six in a row. In the second set, she started the chase again. The former leader of the table from 1:3 equalized at 3:3. The end game belonged to Muchova, who won the last three games. The Czech Republic secured promotion with the fourth match ball.

The meeting lasted two hours and five minutes. Azarenka committed six double faults and had no ace. Muchova returned three passes and converted five of nine chances for a break. It was the second meeting between these tennis players. In the fourth round of the 2020 US Open, Azarenka won after a three-set fight.

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Marketa Vondrousova (WTA 105) beat Marie Bouzkova (WTA 32) 6-1, 6-1 in 73 minutes. 2019 Roland Garros finalist and 2021 Olympic silver medalist scored 62 points out of 97 played (63.9%). She gave her opponent no chance to break and used five of her 14 break points.

Leylah Fernandez (WTA 49) defeated Emma Navarro (WTA 128) 6-2, 6-4. In the second set, the Canadian came back from 0-3. In the 94-minute match, the 2021 US Open runner-up turned five out of 12 chances into breaks. Petra Martić (WTA 30) lost 3:6, 2:6 to Varvara Graczeva (WTA 66). In 75 minutes, the Croatian lost two break points and provided three assists.

Open BNP ParibasIndian Wells (USA)
WTA 1000, hard court, $8.8 million prize pool
Saturday March 11

2nd singles round:

Leylah Fernandez (Canada, 30) between Emma Navarro (USA, WC) 6-2, 6-4
Karolina Muchova (Czech Republic) v Victoria Azarenka (14) 7:6(1), 6:3
Varvara Graceva (Q) v Petra Martić (Croatia, 25) 6-3, 6-2
Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic) v Marie Bouzkova (Czech Republic, 28) 6-1, 6-1

Program and results of the women’s tournament

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