Second round wrapped up on Saturday at the BNP Paribas Open. Defending champion Paula Badosa and two-time champion Victoria Azarenka advanced, while Ons Jabeur, Amanda Anisimova and Jelena Ostapenko got eliminated.
Paula Badosa d. Tereza Martincova
Paula Badosa beat Tereza Martincova 6-2 7-6(4) to advance to the third round. She told press after that, “I never won a set against her so I was quite nervous. I really want to do well here, as you know. I’m really excited and happy that I went through the match today.”
The victory will help Badosa build confidence to advance in the tournament she is defending a title in. She said, “To be honest, after Dubai and Doha, I wasn’t happy about that. I had tough days after all. For me it’s very important to go match by match. For me, every match gives me confidence again.”
Victoria Azarenka d. Astra Sharma
Victoria Azarenka advanced over Astra Sharma with a 6-3 7-5 victory. She was pleased with the result, and feels she “played good in important moments.”
Speaking with press, Azarenka added, “I think there was a little bit ups and downs in some games where I felt like I could be a bit more decisive. But again, I haven’t played in a while. I have to get that match rhythm. Today was a good start to play against an opponent who gives a lot of different balls. I played actually I thought really well. I’m glad that I was able to handle myself and turn it up when it was important.”
Daria Saville d. Ons Jabeur
Daria Saville, the recently married Australian player still known to many fans as Daria Gavrilova, upset the ninth-seeded Ons Jabeur 7-5 6(0)-7 6-4. The two played in a crowded and noisy stadium just inside one of the tournament ground entrances. Gavrilova, who played for her native Russia as a junior, wore blue and yellow to support Ukraine, as she had encouraged other players to do on Instagram. Fans with Ukrainian flags came out to support and cheer her on. The victory was her first Top 10 win in four years. She faces Elise Mertens in the third round.
Leylah Fernandez d. Amanda Anisimova (retired)
American Anisimova retired from her second-round match against US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. Anisimova won the first set 6-2, but lost the second 6(0)-7 after failing to convert four match points.
Anisimova told Fernandez and on-court officials that she felt sick, but did not specify the illness or injury. She retired from the match and left the court in a hurry without request for medical timeout. It has been a difficult week for Anisimova, who parted ways with her new coach Darren Cahill just before tournament play began.
Fernandez faces Shelby Rogers in the third round, which Rogers entered with a 7-5 7-6(7) victory over Jelena Ostapenko.
