Anna BLINKOVA lights up Indian Wells with sensational victory against Karolina PLISKOVA

Anna Blinkova (No. 45) defeated the former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova (No. 39) 6-1, 6-3 to advance to the second round of Indian Wells and will face Jessica Pegula (No. 5) in the second round.

Blinkova had delivered several surprises this season, first in Melbourne where she was responsible for Elena Rybakina's elimination in an epic third-set tie-break that ended 22-20 in her favor. Additionally, last week she secured consecutive victories against the former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and the recent Australian Open semifinalist, Dayana Yastremska. On Pliskova's side, she arrived in good form with a 12-4 record in 2024 and the Winners Open title in mid-February.

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In the first set, both players struggled with their first serves. Blinkova had only a 48% first serve percentage but won 82% of them and 67% with the second serve. Pliskova reached a 50% first-serve percentage, winning 67% of them and 33% with the second serve.

After both defended their first service game, Blinkova secured five consecutive games, capitalizing on her opponent's second serve to take advantage and converting the only two break points in her favor to claim the set 6-1.

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Although it seemed like an easy task for the Russian, Pliskova entered the second set with more aggression in her forehand and appeared calmer in crucial moments. The Czech player took advantage of her first break point in the set, quickly taking a 3-0 lead. Despite her opponent's strong performance from the baseline, Pliskova managed to secure another break and claim the second set 6-2.

The third set was the most contested, with both players conceding a break to their opponent at the start. The fifth game was crucial for Blinkova, who capitalized on Pliskova's unforced errors, took the definitive advantage in the set with a break, and went up 3-2. From there onwards, the Russian only had to hold her service, and without facing break points against her, she closed the match 6-1, 2-6, 6-4. In the second round, she will face the 5th seed Jessica Pegula.