(Indian Wells) Canadian Leylah Fernandez and American Taylor Townsend advanced to the second round in women’s doubles at the Indian Wells tournament on Thursday.
The pair defeated Latisha Chan and Chan Hao-Ching in straight sets 6-4, 7-6 (5).
In men’s doubles, young Canadian stars Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov easily beat American Ben Shelton and Dane Holger Rune in straight sets 6-1, 6-3.
In women’s singles, Canadian Rebecca Marino lost in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 against Czech Marketa Vondrousova in the first round.
The British Columbian had two aces and six double faults, earning just 60.6% of her first serve points.
Also, Marino didn’t get any chances to break in the 70 minutes of this match.
Vondrousova had four aces and four double faults, but won 86.2% of her points on the first pitch. She made four of her eight break chances.
Danielle Collins lost to a player outside the top-50 for the second time in a row, as she was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Dalma Galfi, 80e in the world.
Emma Raducanu, winner at Flushing Meadows in 2021, was back on the court for the first time since January. She was, however, eliminated 6-2, 6-3 by Danka Kovinic.
In a duel involving two former champions of a major tournament, American Sofia Kenin showed her compatriot Sloan Stephens the way out.
Varvara Gracheva lost 6-2, 6-2 against Ysaline Bonaventure. Katerina Siniakova eliminated Jule Niemeier 7-5, 6-4 while Jil Teichmann defeated Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 6-4.
In men’s singles, Stanislas Wawrinka made a successful return to Indian Wells after a four-year absence, showing the exit to qualifier Aleksander Vukic 6-4, 1-6, 6-1.
The 37-year-old Swiss, who has won three Grand Slams and reached No. 3 in the world, is in the 100e echelon after a series of operations on the left foot and knee. He hit 10 aces in that duel and won 28 of 33 service games.
His previous hard-court match in California ended in a loss to compatriot Roger Federer in 2019.
Wawrinka will face No. 26 seed Miomir Kecmanovic in the second round of this first Masters 1000 of the season.
Britain’s Andy Murray meanwhile remained unbeaten this season when one match reached the final set and came from behind to beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-4.
The veteran and three-time Grand Slam champion is 5-0 this season in games that require a third set and 2-0 in games that go to the fifth set.
Jack Draper completely outplayed qualifier Leandro Riedi 6-1, 6-1 to set the stage for an all-British game against No. 24 Dan Evans. Mackenzie McDonald defeated Filip Krajinovic 6-3, 6-0.
The 2020 United States Open tennis champion, Dominic Thiem, was shown the exit door by Adrian Mannarino, in three sets of 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5).
Fabio Fognini and Thanasi Kokkinakis also won their first round match.
