Camila Giorgi has bounced back from a difficult start to her season by taking a convincing 6-3 6-2 win over Julia Georges The Italian player broke serve in the fourth game of the first set to take a 3-1 set and held her service games to close out the first set 6-3 in 38 minutes. Giorgi got her second break of the match in the third game of the second set to take a 2-1 lead. Giorgi faced two break points after two double faults in the sixth game but she held her serve before getting her third break at 4-2. Giorgi served out for the match to set up a very tough match against Ana Ivanovic.
Christine McHale upset last week’s Monterreey semifinalist Caroline Garcia 6-4 6-4 setting up a second round against Garbine Muguruza. McHale has extended her win-loss record over Garcia to 3-1 in their four head-to-head matches.
McHale broke serve to love in the opening game with her forehand winner but was broken back in the second game. At 4-4 McHale got another break at deuce. Serving for the first set, McHale sent a serve out wide to save the second break point. Garcia broke serve to 15 in the seventh game of the second set to secure a straight set win.
“I knew I had to serve well because Caroline is so aggressive and I knew I had to get a lot of first serves in today, and it worked today so I am excited. The crowd helped me pull through that match. I love the atmosphere and I love being at Indian Wells. I lost to Muguruza the last time we played and she is obviously playing really well. I will try to play my best tennis and I am looking forward to that match”, said Mchale.
Wild card Laren Davis beat Nao Hibino 6-2 6-4 in straight sets to set up a second round against Belinda Bencic. Madison Brengle defeated Misaki Doi 6-2 7-5 to book her spot in the second round against Joanna Konta. Magdalena Rybarikova beat Laura Rbson 7-6 (7-3) 6-2. Yanina Wickmayer fought back from a bagel loss in the first set to edge past Polona Hercog 0-6 6-4 6-4.
