Washington: Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic put a halt to the comeback of two-time champion Kim Clijsters of Belgium in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open here, while former world No.4 Caroline Garcia of France and former world No.11 Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia were also among the early winners on Day 2, as each came from a set down to advance to the second round.Former world No. 1 Clijsters, who was making her first appearance in 10 years at the BNP Paribas Open on
Thursday evening, was outlasted by Siniakova 6-1, 2-6, 6-2, in an hour and 36 minutes.
In the Czech’s first meeting with Clijsters, Siniakova fended off a valiant second-set comeback from the four-time major champion before regrouping in the third set and collecting her first singles win at Indian Wells since 2018.
It was really special, Siniakova said on court, after her win. I was actually looking forward (to this), because I remember when I was young, and I was watching her play, and she always did amazing. So it’s unbelievable I could stay with her on the court, she told wtatennis.com.
By moving forward, Siniakova sets up a second-round meeting with another former world No.1 and multiple-Grand Slam champion, No.10 seed Angelique Kerber of Germany.