Indian Wells: Badosa beats Fernandez; wins for Swiatek, Halep
Defending champion Paula Badosa has reached the quarters of the ongoing BNP Paribas Open in California. The Spaniard overcame youngster Leylah Fernandez in straight sets. The 24-year-old improved her undefeated record at Indian Wells to 9-0 as well. Meanwhile, the likes of Iga Swiatek and Simona Halep booked their berths in the quarters with wins over Angelique Kerber and Sorana Cirstea respectively.
Badosa chases history at Indian Wells
As per WTA, Badosa is bidding to become the first woman to defend the Indian Wells crown in over 30 years, with Martina Navratilova doing so in 1990-91. Meanwhile, she has booked her second quarter-final date this year after having earlier captured the Sydney International tournament. She has also extended her head-to-head tally over Fernandez to 2-0.
Key stats of the match
Badosa went on to hit 23 winners to 28 unforced errors. Meanwhile, her opponent Fernandez hit 24 winners to 37 unforced errors. Badosa also won 78.7% of her first serve points. She hit four aces compared to Fernandez's two. She committed seven double faults. The Spaniard will take on Veronika Kudermetova next. Kudermetova beat Marketa Vondrousova in a three-set thriller, winning 7-6, 6-7, 7-5.
Halep downs Cirstea 6-1, 6-4
Number 24 seed Halep dismissed 26th-seeded Cirstea 6-1, 6-4 to advance. Romania's Halep needed an hour and 20 minutes to knock out Cirstea in their first meeting in over 11 years. Their head-to-head tally reads 2-2. For the fifth time in her career, Halep has reached the quarters at Indian Wells. Halep had 79% win on the first serve which was a major difference.
I'm super pleased with the victory: Halep
Halep was happy with her performance and was super pleased having got the job done. "It's been a good match. I think I played super good in the first set. The second set I started to miss a little bit. But in the big picture it was a great match and I'm super pleased with the victory," she said in her post-match press conference.
Swiatek beats the experienced Kerber
Iga Swiatek came from behind for the third successive match to book a berth in the last eight. Swiatek sealed a crucial 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory over former World No.1 Kerber in their first meeting. "For sure it was really hard playing against her," said Swiatek. "She's such an experienced player." Swiatek also said she made the right decisions in the right time.
Sakkari advances as well
No.6 seed Maria Sakkari moved into the BNP Paribas Open quarter-finals for the first time. She booked her berth after Australian qualifier Daria Saville withdrew from the round of 16 match midway through the first set due to a left thigh injury. Sakkari was ahead 4-1 when Daria called it quits.
Swiatek to face Keys
Swiatek will face number 25 seed Madison Keys of the United States in the last eight. Keys rallied past British qualifier Harriet Dart 6-1, 6-4 in just over an hour. She has claimed a maiden BNP Paribas Open quarter-final spot for the first time ever.
